


1699 




TWENTIETir 
CENTURY 
COAST 
EDITION 



BILOXI. 
Ml 







i/lC'-'- l>:- 



__^il5r'.:' -■■f- ',-. 



TWENTIETH CENTURY COAST EDITION 



-OF- 



The BiLOXi Daily Herald, 



Published by GEO. W. WILKES & SONS, 



BiLOXI, IIxS^RRISOX COUiSTTY, MISSISSIPPI. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 



'NHEXED 



TO TriK l^URLIC: 

♦fTN PRESENTING THE TWENTIETH CENTURY 
■' Coast Edition of Tiii': Bii.oxi Daily IIivkald to the 
public, we do so with a just appreciation of the assistance 
rendered us by our friends in compilinjr data for the work. 
While the labor has been one of pleasure, there will lie nothinjf 
more pleasinjj than to know our efforts in this direction have 
met with a hearty approval by a j^^encrous imblic. That we 
have ji'iven our iiatrons an edition wliich we are cotitldent tliey 
will ai>])reciate, is a matter which we feel we ha\'e a rijjht to 
be proud. Hence we dedicate The TvvEntikth Century 
Coast Edition of The Biloxi Daily Herald to the citizens 
of Biloxi, The Herald iiatrons, and the public in freneral, 
hoping that it will redound to the material and moral up- 
building: of Biloxi and the entire Mississippi Coast. 

GEO. W. WILKES & SONS. 



tTvpcutietb Century Coaet Bbitioit 
of ^be Bilcvi Bailv lHcral6. 




Ipubliebe& b\? Geo. IM. Tlditftes S. Sous, an& Sbovvtng IRcsourccs of /iDissiseipDi Gulf Coast. 



BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL REVIEW OF BILOXI, MISS. 



BILOXI IS AN INDIAN NAME, AND MEANS 
in Eng-lish "Broken Pot." The si.yniticance of 
it is far behind this latter day and sleeps with 
Braves, whose battle jfround it was, and whose burial 
place it is. Long- decades ago, before Dr. Franklin had 
encased lightning- in a bottle, and Prof. Morse had 
given it tongue and bade it speak its varied languages 
to all the world; in the days when a railroad train was 
a myth and the telephone but a dreamer's vision, Biloxi 
had a being. Even then it was the capital of the Prov- 
ince of Louisiana. The dwellers of this early seat of 
government may have been unfledged and ])rimitive pil- 
grims from other lands, but here they lived and dreamed 
under the soft light of the southern sky, little knowing 
'ere the last vestige of their generation had passed 
away the virgin forest that they knew would be gone 
and in its stead would be every evidence of Christian 
civilization and ever}- stamp of progress, and that the 
places that were then mellow under the pale glimmer of 
an autumn moon would glitter under the flash of caged 
and obedient electricity. 

The days of miracles, though far away in the 
twilight of centuries, had not passed, and from a hand- 
ful of French colonists under the command of Iberville, 
has grown steadily and surely a modern city of progress 
and prosperity, peopled by a brave, energetic and pro- 
gressive manhood and a pure, faithful and lovely 
womanhood, unsurpassed by none, unrivaled Ijy few. 

In February, 1609, Lemoyne d'Iberville, a French 
nobleman holding a commission from King Louis XII, 
after a long and stormy passage, landed at what we 
now know as Ship Island, and established temvxirary 
headi|uarters. From here he began making explorations 
for a suitable jilace for the location of the colony that 
his commission directed him to establish. He made 
many expeditions, even going up the Mississippi River, 
hundreds of miles, perhaps, as far as Fort Nogales, the 
present City of Vicksburg-, before he found a suitable lo- 
cation. He finally selected a point on the northeast 
side of Back Bay of Biloxi, now a ]>ortion of the town 
of Ocean Springs; here he erected a Fort, which in honor 
of Count Maurepas he named Fort Maureiias. This 
was the iirst white settlement in the State of Missis- 
sippi. The Fort was completed in April, 1()')'», and the 
first religious ceremony ever held in Mississippi was 
had, mass being then and there celebrated by Father 
Donay, a Franciscan priest and a confrere of La Salle. 



For reasons untold by the historian of that time, the 
colon}' and Fort on its first sight was abandoned, and 
transferred to Dau])hine Island near Mobile, where they 
remained for about twenty years. 

In December, 1720, Beinville, who, by the death of 
Sauvole, the first commandant of the Colony, became 
commandant, decided to entirely abandon the first site 
or "Old Biloxi" and to reestablish the colony at and 
transfer the seat of government to "New Biloxi," some 
six miles away from the first site. 

This was done in September, 1721, and from this 
time, until 1723, Biloxi was the actual and legal capital 
of the P.-ovin;2 of Louisiana. The Governor or Com- 
mandant's first office was in an old ware house, that had 
been made suitable by the engineer, who had been sent 
ahead. The iirst or "Old Biloxi" was the first settle- 
ment on the Coast line from Tampico to Pensacola, the 
latter cit\' being only a few months the older. 

Biloxi as a capital city was no less gay than the 
other cities that have claimed and still claim this hon- 
ored distinction. Cavaliers with waving plumes and 
dangling swords and courtly graces were no less at- 
tractive to the fair daughters of Eve than are their 
brothers of tliis latter day, even though the plumes and 
cloaks and swaying swords have given place to the 
Krag-Jorgensen and the modest Khaki. 

From the removal of the capital in 172.i to New 
Orletins, there is little history of Biloxi except through 
the several treaties made between the European powers. 

Biloxi in 17(i.> became an English town, and from 
1780 until 17'',S was under Spanish rule. By the act of 
Congress, approved April 7, 17'»S, Biloxi became a part 
of the United States. 

So, during her long, honored, and always useful 
life, this wondrous city by the sea has done homage to 
the Hag of our great nation and today from her highest 
s])ire, co<iuetting with every blissful breeze and defying 
every storm, waves the flag that has never known defeat, 
and which wc pray may always be unsullied from the 
world of glory and the greed of conquest. 

After the formation of the Territory of Mississippi, 
a form of government similar to that of the Northwest 
Territory was established. The President, John Adams, 
appointed Winthrop Sargent as Governor of the new Ter- 
ritory. Sargent was a native of Massachusetts and had 
been Secretary of the Northwest Territory. He was a 
man of ability, but his administration was very offensive 



THE BILOXI DAILYOHERALD. 



to the inhabitants and his laws finally became so o))- 
pressive that Congress was petitioned to advance the 
grade of the Territory' and thus rid the people of Sar- 
gent. This was done, and Sargent having practically 
abandoned his office and returned to Massachusetts, the 
duties of the office of Governor were performed by John 
Steele, a feeble old man, who was the Territorial Secre- 
tary, until 1801, when President Jefferson appointed to 
succeed Sargent as Governor of the Territory of Missis- 
sippi, William Charles Cole Claiborne, a Virginian of 
great ability. Although only twenty-seven years of age at 
the time of his ap])ointment, (TO\ernor Claiborne had 



of excellent sense but can neither read nor write, nor 
can any inhabitant of the Bay of Biloxi that I can 
hear of. 

"They are all along this lieautiful coast country a 
primitive people of mixed origin, retaining the gaiety 
and politeness of the French blended with the abstem- 
iousness of the Indian. 

"They jilant a little rice and a few roots, herbs and 
vegetables, but depend principally for subsistence upon 
tish and game. 

"I left with all these appointees copies of laws and 
ordinances. 




How.\RD Avenue, Looking West From L.\meuse Street. 



served in Congress and on the Supreme Bench of Ten- 
nessee. 

Soon after he assumed the control of affairs Gover- 
nor Claiborne appointed Dr. Flood to proceed along the 
(iulf Coast and appoint Magistrates for the administra- 
tion of the laws at Bay St. Louis, Pass Christian, Biloxi 
and Pascagoula. Dr. Flood made a full report to his 
superior and in relation to what he had done at Biloxi 
said: 

"After hoisting the flag at the Pass I proceeded 
to the Bay of Biloxi, where I found a Mr. Ladnier. and 
gave him the commission as magistrate. He is a man 



"But few laws will be needed here. The people are 
universalh" honest. There are no crimes. The father 
of the family or the oldest inhabitant settles all the 
disputes. 

"The Parish of Biloxi consists of four hundred and 
twenty persons, mostly French and Creoles. A more in- 
nocent and inoffensive people ma)' not be found. They 
seem only to want the simple necessities of life and to 
be let alone in their tranquility. I am greatly impressed 
with the beauty and value of the coast. The high 
sandy lands, heavily timbered with pines, and the lovely 
bays and rivers from Pearl River to Mobile, will furnish 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



New Orleans with a rich commerce ami a deliffhtiul 
summer resort. 

"For a militarj' post, considerinfj the health of the 
troops, the whole Coast is admirably suited." 

A complete recital of the details and incidents of 
the early history of Biloxi is practically impossible, be- 
cause of the fact that only a few scattered fragments 
survive, but there are sufficient to establish that Biloxi 
is one of the three oldest cities in the United States; 
and then, too, it is more with the present thrifty, modern, 
steadily advancing- Biloxi that we have to do than with 
the old dreamy Utopian Biloxi, when only the weary 
waves like tired children sobbed themselves to sleep, and 
singing birds and wandering winds sighing through 
bending boughs disturbed the peaceful silence of the 
long drowsy days. 

Biloxi is todav the chief citv of the Mississippi 
Coast, and has a population of between six and eight 
thousand. It is located on a long, narrow peninsula be- 
tween the Gulf of Mexico and the Back Bay of Biloxi, 
extending from east to west a distance of about six 
miles, and varj-ing from three quarters of a mile to a 
mile in width, and within this distance are beautiful 
shelled and paved streets of about thirty miles in extent. 

Biloxi is eighth' miles from New Orleans and sixty 
miles from Mobile, is the largest city in the County 
(Harrison), as well as the largest city in Mississippi 
south of Jackson and Meridian. Lying almost in front 
of the city at a distance of twelve miles is Ship Island, 
where is located possibly the best natural harbor in the 
South, from where is loaded with lumber and timber, 
ships from and for ever)- quarter of the globe. 

Probably the first and most important inquiry made 
in reference to a city or town is regarding its health- 
fulness. There is no place more conducive to health 
and longevity than the section immediately surround- 
ing Biloxi and in which Biloxi is situated. There is 
absolutely no local cause for sickness, the temperature 
being even and uniform and in keeping with the sea- 
sons, and malarial influences do not exist to any extent 
beyond the power of adjacent pine forests and salt 
breezes to immediately and entirely dispel. Aside from 
this, the city is supplied in the greatest abundance with 
the finest artesian water flowing from wells hundreds 
of feet deep, beside the two public wells — one at the 
City Hall and the other at the intersection of Howard 
avenue and Lameuse street — there are quite a number 
of artesian wells scattered over the city belonging to 
private persons. The mains of the Water Works Com- 
pany extend throughout the city, and private residences 
obtain the water supply therefrom at the uniform price 
of $7.50 per j'ear and one dollar extra for each additional 
faucet. The water works have two large reservoirs near 
the business center of the city which with the natural 
pressure are most valuable in case of fire. 

The well at the Citj- Hall was presented to the city 
by Mr. Frank T. Howard, and the one at the corner of 
Howard avenue and Lameuse street by Mr. H. T. 
Howard. 



The analysis of the water consumed by the public 
is as follows: 

Sulphate of Soda 75 

Chloride of Sodium ( Common Salt ) 2 42 

Carbonate of Soda 12 44 

Phosphate of Soda 13 

Bicarbonate of Magnesia 73 

Bicarbonate of Lime 38 

Bicarbonate of Iron 04 

Alumina 05 

Silica 74 

Total 17 30 

Having to start with the first essentials of health, 
pure air and pure water, it follows that the general 
health of a communitj- is assured, and there is little 
room for doubt of the statement that the death rate of 
Biloxi is below the statistical minimum. This state- 
ment is borne out by the fact that those who once spend 
a winter or summer here frequentl}- return with each 
season, and usually accompanied by a friend whom thev 
have persuaded to come and try "Biloxi." The climate 
is as balmy as the first sweet breath of June; in this 
clime of heaven smiles a soft benediction all the daz- 
zling daj's of summer, and all the noiseless nights of 
winter a mellow moon spreads a sheen of silver glory 
like a hovering halo of drifting dreams; the caressing 
air steals the soft aroma from the bursting blossoms 
and bears the Balm of Gilead on its breath, I'obs the 
racing, radiant sunbeams of their genial glow, puts fresh 
tints on cheeks all paled and warms the heart gro.vn 
cold to newer deeds of tenderest love. 

Next in point of interest to the practical man is the 
facilities for education and moral training and religious 
surroundings. The schools in Biloxi are a credit to the 
community and a living, breathing testimonial of the ef- 
ficiency' of the manificent corps of teachers who are so 
carefully and faithfully devoting their energies to the 
proper moral and mental training of the children under 
their tutelage. There are five school buildings owned by 
the city, and a convent conducted by those unselfish, 
pure and religious women, the Catholic Sisters. For the 
convenience of the parents and children these several 
buildings are located in the most suitable places; the 
Main School where the advanced pupils are taught is on 
Main street near the centre of the city; this building is 
modern in every respect, has a good library, and was 
given to the city by Messrs. Frank T. and H. T. Howard. 
A sightly and well appointed building at the West End 
is a gift from Mr. and Mrs. L. Lopez, Sr. Another build- 
ing is on Main street where the small children or kin- 
dergarten classes are taught; this is one of the most 
suitable and attractive school buildings in the city, and 
was presented by Mr. H. T. Howard. At Point Cadet 
is another school building; this, too, meets everv require- 
ment for the comfort of both teacher and children. The 
school site and building on Back Bay was given by 
ISIessrs. William Gorenflo and W. K. M. Dukate, and in 
every respect is fitted for the purpose for which it was 
erected. The schools of the city are under the charge of 
Prof. J. H. Owings, a most accomplished and scholarly 



8 



'THIi BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



g-;ntlem:in anil a thorough ai\d painstaking teacher in 
the work that is primarily the basis of all good citizen- 
ship. Prof. Owing-s is ably assisted by the following ef- 
fi:ient corps: Mr. Leslie Partridge, Miss Armstrong, Miss 
Coman, Miss Brooks, Miss Lack, Miss Austin, Mrs. 
Booth, Miss Hall and Miss Tracey. The enrollment of 
the several schools show an average attendance of 585 
pupils. 

The churches of the city are the Baptist at the cor- 
ner of Lameuse and Washington street. Dr. J. B. Searcy 
pastor; the Methodist, on Main and Washington streets. 
Rev. H. W. Van Hook in charge; the Presbyterian 
on Howard avenue. Rev. Dr. Lindsey, pastor; the Epis- 



service. So that the church bells' harmonious chimes 
ring out for all to call the scattered worshippers to find 
that '"consolation that the world cannot give." 

From its birth until March 1, 1893, Biloxi did not 
have a bank, but at this time Mr. E. J. Buck, a gentle- 
man of keen business perception and superb integrity, 
interested the most prominent citizens with him and con- 
vinced them of the profit, convenience and necessity of a 
bank in this city. Thus began the Bank of Biloxi, one 
of the most solvent, well managed and most profitable 
banks in the State, perhaps in the South, its yearly div- 
idend since its organization being 30 per cent. The 
banking house is on Lameuse street and is an attractive 




Biloxi Light House. 



copalian. Rev. Mr. Moore, rector; the Catholic, Father 
Alphonse Kettles, priest. The Catholic Church and 
Convent were destroyed by the disastrous and wide- 
sweeping fire of November, 1900, but will soon be rebuilt. 
"Father Alphonse," as he is affectionately called by his 
parishioners and friends, has just returned from Europe 
whither he went for the purpose of getting contributions, 
from which, added to local donations, a magnificent church 
and school will be erected. New York boasts of its "Little 
Brown Church around the corner," but it has a rival in the 
"Little Brown Church on the Beach," the quaint attract- 
tivenessof which has long been the admiration of resident 
visitor. Here it is that the Episcopalians hold divine 



two story building. The officers of the Bank of Biloxi 
are Capt. John Walker, one of the most prominent mer- 
chants and business men in the city, president; L. Lopez, 
of the firm of Lopez & Dukate, L. Lopez & Co., and T. 
P. Dulion & Co., and one of the best, most progressive 
and substantial citizens of Biloxi, vice president; Mr. 
John Carraway, a representative young man of the city, 
capable, efficient, honorable and consciencious, and per- 
haps the best financier of his age in the State, cashier; 
C. L. Isom, assistant cashier; the clerical force of the 
bank is composed of Mr. William Gorenflo and Miss 
Fanny Charleton, bright and honest workers. The per- 
sonnel and standing of the board of directors is a per- 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



feet g-uarantee that the business of the bank will be con- 
ducted according- to business principles strictly. The di- 
rectors are: L. Lopez. Sr., W. K. M. Dukate, F. W. 
Elmer, H. M. Folkes, L. Lopez, Jr., T. P. DuHon, Wil- 
liam Gorenflo and A. O. Bourdon Sr. 

The other bank of the city is the Peoples Bank, 
officered by the following- substantial citizens: H. T. 
Howard, president; E. Glennan, vice president; L. L. 
^'illere, cashier; A. B. Austin, assistant cashier. The 
board of directors is composed of H. T. Howard. E. 
(ilennan, Charles Redding:, L. Gill, E. C. Joullian, L 
Heidenheim and S. Levy. The bank building- is at the 
corner of Howard avenue and r^ameuse street, and is a 
modern two story building-. 

The hotels of the city compare most favorably with 
the best of the country. Probably the best known and 
larg-est hotel is the Montross, situated on the beach at 
the foot of Lameuse Street; the 3-ard is a g-arden of beau- 
tiful flowers over which majestic oaks trail their droop- 
ing: branches and stand like g-narled sentinels of some 
feudal ag-e. Immediately in front is a long- pier extend- 
ing out into the Gulf from which is excellent fishing, 
and a handsome pag-oda, an attractive place where fickle 
Cupid may exhaust his quiver, or tired brains find sooth- 
ing: silence. In the rear of the hotel proper is a splendid 
tennis court. This hotel is under the proprietorship of 
Mr. H. E. Sawford, formerly of Chicag-o, and a more 
a liable, courteous and eleg-ant g:entlenian or thoroug:h 
up-to-date hotel man will not be found. 

The Beach House, owned and operated by the Misses 
Drysdale, young- ladies of sterling- qualities who leave 
notliing undone for the pleasure and comfort of their 
guests. This hotel also fronts on the Gulf, is splendidly 
and attractively kept, and is the acme of comfort for 
both summer and winter visitors. 

The Hotel Breslow on the opposite corner from the 
Montross, is a new, attractive and modern structure, of 
which Mrs. M. A. Andrews is the proprietress. This 
hotel is almost entirely new, having- been completed only 
within the last three j-ears. It is modern in every re- 
si)ect, and with the tact, energ-y and thoug-htfulness of 
Mrs. Andrews, ever vig-ilant, watchful and considerate 
of the wishes and needs of her g-uests, is noted for its ap- 
pointments and cuisine. 

The Biloxi House under the manag:ement of Capt. 
S. C. Dahle, is also on the front, and kept in the best of 
style. 

The Sea View, under the manag-ement of Miss Xiques 
and the Arcade under that of Mrs. Spring-er, are both 
kept in the best manner, and always with a view to 
please and satisfy "the strang-er that is within their 
g-ates." 

A block or so up the beach stands the Mag-nolia, 
conducted by Mrs. E. Hahn&Son. Around this quaint 
old hostelry still lingers the memorj- of other davs 
"when music arouse with its voluptous swell,'" and hearts 
as lig-ht as wind blown down otT the thistle bloom, and 
feet as nimble as fairy fancies, lost count of time or care 
of coming- morn. 



Just completed is a three stor}^ brick building on Rej'- 
noir street, across from the depot, which will be occu- 
pied as a hotel. This hotel is fitted and finished in the 
handsomest stN-le of modern demands, and is a credit to 
this g-rowing- city. 

There are a number of first class private boarding- 
houses located in every portion of the city, attractive 
places, such as will please the most fastidious. Furnished 
houses may be rented at moderate rates at any season of 
the year. These are admirably suited to light house- 
keeping-. 

Biloxi is cosmopolitan in many respects and chielly 
so in matters of amusements. The citizens are all re- 
specters of the constitutional g:uarantee, that "everyone 
shall pursue his own true and substantial happiness so 
long- as he does not interfere with another in the same 
pursuit."' Hence you may exercise j-our choice as may 
best suit 30urself . 

There is fishing: of the greatest variety, from the far 
famed tarpon, the sport of presidents, to the croaker 
that the children may catch with a pin hook. The red 
fish, the speckled trout, the sea bass, the pompano and 
the g-amest of them all, the Spanish mackerel, all abound 
in the waters around Biloxi and afford royal sport at all 
seasons. 

Boating- and sailing- are favorite amusements, the 
latter being- indulg-ed in to a very great extent. Sail 
boats ^\itll the most competent and reHa1)le men as sail- 
ors are for hire the year round. The boats are strong- 
and are eleg-antly built, have speed and every pro- 
vision for the safety an 1 comfort of the occupants. To 
have come to Biloxi and not having- g-one sailing- with 
CaiJt. Martin Green, g:reat hearted, honest jolly man 
that he is, is to miss half the pleasure of a sail on the 
moon-kissed waters of the restless, tireless Gulf. 

Bathing- in the Gulf is both healthy and invig-orat- 
ing, and is universally indulg-ed in during season, which 
beg:ins about the first of May and lasts until the first of 
October. 

The drives of Biloxi have no e |ual in the South; for 
thirty miles there are paved and shelled streets and roads 
as smooth polished as g-lass and as level as the lloor of 
"my lady's boudoir." For driving: or wheeling- a more 
pleasant place will not be found. 

Dukate's theatre, the larg-est, handsomest and best 
equipped building- of its kind in the state, is under the 
manag-ement of Wilkes & Carraway, who furnish to the 
playg-oers the hig:hest class amusements, the companies 
booked for this theatre being- the best obtainable. The 
summer season opens the first weekin June and continues 
until the first of September, during- which time three 
performance a week are g-iven b}- the hig-hest class 
artists in up-to-date repertoire. For the coming: season 
proper the best attractions traveling have been booked. 
The fraternal and social orders are larg-elj^ repre- 
sented, their membership consisting- of our best and most 
prominent citizens. Mag:nolia Lodg:e No. 120 A. F. & 
A. M. was organized in 1849 and has been since its or- 
ganization in a prosperous condition, and owns a mag- 



,10 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



nificent brick Ijuilding- on Howard avenue, in the busi- 
ness centre of the city.. The Knights of Pythias and the 
Knig-hts of Honor are both very strong-, both in number 
and in the personnel of their members. The Spanish So- 
ciet3', a local order organized in 1873, is numerically 
small, but since its beginning has dispensed great good 
and benevolence among its members. This order owns 
a valuable lot and hall near the business section of the 
cit3' on Lameuse street. 

Biloxi Lodge, No. 12"», Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows was organized in \H')(>, and is one of the sub- 
stantial orders of the city. Its membership is composed 
of some of our best citizens 'and is steadilv increasing — 



of "the best people on earth." The Elks have in view 
the building of a magnificent, imposing and modern 
building, which when completed will be one of the at- 
tractions of the city. 

The King's Daughters, a blessing to the poor and 
needy of this city, is one of the largest, best managed 
and beneficent chapters in the state. A little over two 
years ago this order had its beginning here. Mrs. Mary 
Evans Maybin, Mrs. Rosa V. Weatherby and Miss Rose 
D. Andrews being the prime movers in the organization. 
Since then, especially after the late distress-bringing 
and home-destroying fire, this band, ministering ten- 
derly and unostentatiously to the sorrow and distress of 




A Biloxi Oyster Wharf. 



numbering at present some thirty odd members. It 
pays sick and death benefits and is benevolent in many 
other features. Its ranks are ever at work quietly, but 
earnesth', and the Golden Rule is one of its practices. 

The Biloxi Benevolent Association is yet young, 
having been organized and chartered in January, 1900; this 
is also a local order, and has a membership of over 
two hundred. It pays a sick and death benefit. The 
Woodmen of the World has a fine camp and since its 
organization here has never had to pay a death loss. 

The Benevolent Protective Order of Elks is proba- 
bly the strongest purel}- social order in the cit^-. It has 
a membership of about a hundred, including a number 



the destitute, have added proof that "the greatest of these 
is charity." 

Biloxi is brilliantly lighted with electricity and 
there is at this time a substantial movement on foot 
to construct an electric street car line throughout the 
city. This, if consummated will, not onl}' be of great 
convenience, but will prove a most profitable investment. 

Probabh" the enterprise that will prove of the most 
material benefit to this citj', and that at once, is the 
bridge across Back Bay. This will open up a large sec- 
tion of country that heretofore has been practically iso- 
lated and which can be made productive and profitable 
in the highest degree. The soil and climate of this 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



11 



section is peculiarly adapted to the raising: of small 
fruits and veg-etables of every variet)-, figs and pecans 
beinjif especially i^rofitable and easy of production. 
This section also offers every inducement for the raising;: 
of sheep and cattle. 

Lands across the baj' can be bought at reasonable 
prices, and offer a virgin field for emmig-ration that is 
unsurpassed. The mildness of the winter, the even- 
ness of the climate and the fertility of the soil are invi- 
tations that extend themselves to the bread winner of 
ever^- creed and clime. And "ere the tide of seasons has 
made the flood of years to bless and brighten the lives 
of those who have cast their lot, for ages or for aye, 
swaying fields of growing grain will greet the wondering 
eye, and once where only the lonely call of the (juail 
broke the monotony of long lingering silence, the sweet 
fresh song of the happy harvester will echo with the 
softness of a siren's call. 

And in place of stately pines sobbing t)ut the 
mournful dirge of solitude, the laughter of bright eyed 
children will lade the wingless winds, and homes crowned 
with the royal rol>es of ever-blooming flowers will speak 
a peace beyond the dream of oriental brain. 

iJiloxi has perhaps the most imposing and substan- 
tial City Hall in the State — a three story brick build- 
ing, arranged vv'itli offices for the city officials, and a 
large and properly furnished hall, wherein is held the 
meeting of the city council and the sessions of the re- 
corder's court. 

The Federal Court for the Southern Division of the 
Southern District of Mississippi is also held in this 
building, Biloxi being one of the new places selected 
for the holding of the Circuit and District Courts of the 
United States. Here is also located one of the offices 
of the Collector of the Port for the District of Pearl 
River, the business done at this office lieing perhaps the 
largest in the district. 

For the past few years the general improvements 
in Ijiloxi have been of the most modern kind, greater at- 
tention being given to architectural symmetry so that 
structures of the latter days have slowly and surely elim- 
inated the st)'le of Bienville; streets have been widened, 
system observed and no pains spared to make every 
scene pleasing; the old buildings are being remodeled to 
keep pace to the march of progress, and the new ones 
are more than substantial and elegant, they are things 
of beauty from foundation to dome, such as would do 
credit to the dreaming designer of the swinging 
gardens of Babylon. 

Only a few months ago, as soothing slumber had 
caressed into peaceful rest the tired brains and weary 
limbs of those who had toiled, that they and those be- 
loved of them might live, the iron lips of the fire bell 
shrieked out the dread and awful message that insatia- 
ble flames, like crazed and hungered serpents, were 
devouring a major part of the fair city, and the homes 
and business houses that but an hour ago stood defiant 
giants were crumbling into dust, like the withered 
petals of a scentless rose, and the accumulations of a 



lifetime's sturdy toil were vanished in the black wreaths 
of smoke that seemed the mournful offerings of the 
world's last bier. Eyes unused to tears were dimmed, 
and hands strong as links of plaited steel trembled in 
despair, and gloom like the dismal drapery of funeral 
pall seemed settling over the entire cit.v, but with to- 
morrow, and the figment of flitting fancj' passes, the 
tears had ceased, the trembling hands were strong 
again, the gloom slunk before the blazonrj- of heaven- 
born Hope, and from the yet fiery ashes sprung a better 
and brighter day. The blessing in disguise brightens 
with each day, for in the burned district has been 
erected the most pretentious, elegant buildings in the 
city, such as would do credit to any modern city, where- 
ever it be. A fire district was at once established by 
the municipal authorities, and within this limit, fire 
proof buildings, as near as such can be, only are erected. 
The Lopez buildings, one of which is occupied as a 
wholesale and retail grocery store by L. Lopez & Co., 
and the other t>ccupied by Folkes & Grant, druggists, 
and the dry goods em])orium of T. P. Dulion iSc Co., are 
unsurpassed anywhere. 

Instead of the antedeluvian structure misnamed a 
depot, that for years stood, to taunt with it unsightl\- 
ness, is a beautiful, comfortable and attractive station, 
modern and fit for the convenience of the traveling 
public, and for which the residents are thankful, and 
all down the line of the devastation are structures that 
bespeak a thrifty, healthful business condition, that de- 
notes a substantial prosperity. 

Biloxi is chartered under the general state law, and 
the city government is conservatively and efficiently 
conducted. The Council meets once a month regularh' 
and holds such sessions as are necessary. The city con- 
trols the public markets and they are conducted under 
It is hoped that a city advancing as rapidly as this 
will soon have the control and supervision of the 
waterworks and electric light plant. Municipal owner- 
ship of such necessary adjuncts to the comfort and well 
being of a city is most conducive to efficient service. 

Hon. J. W. Swetman, a leading druggist, is Mayor; 
T. P. Dulion, a citizen, ever in the front of each move- 
ment to benefit Biloxi, is Treasurer; O. G. Swetman, a 
most careful, reliable and painstaking officer, is City 
Clerk; R. J. Lowery, a prompt and energetic officer, is 
Tax Collector; T. H. Gleason, a terror to evil doers. 
Police Judge; J. R. Harkness, one of the oldest and 
most respected citizens. Street Commissioner; Hon. W. 
A. White, the learned, efficient District Attorney for 
this Judicial District, ably fills the office of City At- 
torney. 

The Board of Aldermen is composed of the follow- 
ing leading citizens who with jealous fidelity guard the 
interests of their constituency,: First Ward: J. B. Chinn, 
T. J. Rosell; Second Ward: E. Glcnnan, P. L. Elmer; 
ThirdWard: J. C. Bradford, Lee Elder; Fourth Ward: I. 
Heidenheim, Joseph Ott. From the city at large, L. 
Lopez, Sr. 

The Police department is under the direction of R. 




Fishing and Hunting in the Vicinity of Biloxi. 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



13 



M. Mosley, City Marshal and Chief of Police. Mr. 
Moslcy is senilis: his second term, which is an evidence 
of his qualities as an officer. The active Police force 
consists of the Chief Mosley. Officers J. A. McKinley 
and R. M. Randoljth. 

Considerin.ii- the many improvements that are doin": 
so much toward the adx'ancement of the beauty and 
property values of the city, the rate of taxes is exceed- 
in jrly low, the levy for all purposes being 11 mills. 

A well e(iuip]HMl Kire department, composed of vol- 
unteers, does valiant and faithful service in time of need. 
The value of property in Biloxi is greater than that 
of any other place on the Gulf Coast, lots fronting on 
the Gulf are in demand at from thirty to forty dollars a 
front foot according to location. Away from the front, 
available property may be bought at from five to twenty- 
five dollars per foot, the price being governed by the 
situation and surroundings. Lands suitable for truck 
farms and convenient to the market may be purchased 
at from five to twenty-tive dollars per acre. Real estate 
is in demand and for any purpose is worth in every respect 
the prices asked therefor, and will continue to advance, 
for Biloxi isbuilded on a solid foundation and is yet far 
away from its zenith. Nothing Init the intervention of 
providence will ever check its growth. It has withstood 
the ravages of three wide-sweeping fires, one epidemic, 
three (luarantines and a storm second only to the Gal- 
veston horror, all within ten years, and like some never 
fading flower, beautiful in bud and blossom, rich in fol- 
iage, rare in fragrance, ever constant in growth, it ever 
rears its head above the genial soil, "a thing of beauty 
and a joy forever." 

Another thing prominent in the business life of 
Biloxi, is the fact that the greater part of the business 
done here is on a cash basis; little credit of more than 
thirty to sixty days is ever asked or expected, hence 
there are few failures, not exceeding ten merchants 
having assigned here in the last ten years. Few people 
remove from Biloxi after once living here. There was 
a tradition among the early residents, that those who 
once ate "Mullets" at Biloxi would never leave, and if 
by chance they did, they would be certain to return. 
However this ma3- be, there is about Biloxi an attract- 
iveness that, like some tender memory ever in the lov- 
ing heart, holds us here, and gently draws us back, no 
matter how far our wandering footsteps stray. 

Rome boasted of her Appian way, the Parthenon 
was the pride of Athens, and Biloxi may well boast and 
be proud of her palatial residences. No citj' has more 
beautiful and attractive homes, from the simple rose- 
bowered cottage, with the golden sunshine shifting 
through the trailing vines, and resting like a halo of 
peace around the heart and hearth, to the stately man- 
sion, with magnficent turrets and towers, reaching high 
above the modest roof below, and into the dazzling light 
and fragrant gales of the gulf; great oaks, unconquered 
monarchs of another age, spread a sheltering shade 
over lawn and garden, flowers in prodigal profusion, 
deck the landscape, and full throated birds warble in 



the ecstacy of matin songs and carol in the soothing of 
vesper melodies. Homes surrounded thus tell tales of 
a love beyond the magic east, a contentment that rivals 
the sleep of fools, a happiness beyond the price of gold, 
and a prosperity beyond halcyon days of Romish splen- 
dor. 

The Biloxi Yacht Club, lately organized and char- 
tered, has a commodious and S])endidly appointed club 
house, situated on the beach, near the foot of Lameuse 
street. Under the auspices of this club, a regatta is 
annually given and is always a success. This club is 
one of the finest on the coast, and affords much pleasure 
to members and visitors. Among its members are the 
most prominent gentlemen of Biloxi, as well as a num- 
ber of gentlemen from New Orleans, Mobile and the 
coast towns. 

Modern progress and prodigal prosperity are bring- 
ing Biloxi nearer and nearer to the highest point that 
marks a city's growth, but with it all there is left the 
romantic beauty of the long ago, and as we stand on its 
tide-tossed and wave-worn shore we can but dwell upon 
the things that have come and had their little day and 
then passed like the flight of a frightened bird. This 
wondrous old city for more than three centuries has 
stood and watched the fantastic i)ageant of time; na- 
tions and kingdoms have risen and passed away; princes 
and potentates have flourished and faded like the fig- 
ments of a summer dream; joys like the full radiance of 
a midday sun have clustered about its every nook and 
corner; sorrows like the blight of norther night have 
stood at its every jiortal; "the stately ships have gone 
on to their haven under the hill;" new generations have 
come to take the place of the old; and the things that 
made the history of the world have passed one by one 
away, and left Biloxi like some lone dreamer solitary 
and saddened in the midst of a strange new age; and if 
we could summon from the graves of forgotten centuries 
the long train of those who have lived within this midst, 
and clothe them in the costumes of their time and na- 
tionality, it would make a phantom pageant that we 
would stay long to see, but there is no magic that can 
give us back our past, and we turn to the present, and 
convenant with each other that the coming days of Bi- 
loxi will be made better and brighter than all the cen- 
turies that have passed before her gaze, and a like con- 
quering queen will hold her place amidst all the storms 
and go on serenely upward and forward, watching the 
rise of men and nations, only to pass awa.v when time 
shall lose itself in the greatness of eternity's endless 
day. 

FROM AN ANNUAL WINTER VISITOR. 

Editor James Ryan, of Appleton, Wisconsin, who is 
an annual visitor to our city, pays the following beauti- 
ful, graceful and just tribute to Biloxi in the columns of 
his paper, The Evening Crescent: 

The question is often asked, why do so many people 
from the northwest migrate annually to Biloxi, Miss., 
to spend the winter months? It is alleged that the 
place is small and unimportant as a fashionable resort. 



"14- 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



that Atlantic City, on the eastern Atlantic coast, or St. 
Augustine, Ormond, Daj'tona and Palm Beach on the 
eastern Florida coast, are par excellence, far more at- 
tractive to pleasure seekers and much better known than 
Biloxi, to the giLy world, whose realm of delight is en- 
compassed with ever}' accessory- of palatial inns, menus 
presided over by French chefs of international reputa- 
tion, yachting- parties, tally-ho coaching outings and 
swell gowns for dinners, dances and the admiration of 
swagger young men, many of whom are on the qui vive 
for wives of large financial expectations. Then again 
there is Tampa with its magnificent hotel and playhouse 
combined, filled with French antique furnishings, much 
of which has hitherto served its purpose in Parisian 
palaces, personally selected abroad b_v Mr. tnd Mrs. 
Plant of the famous Plant railwaj' s)'stem, for the delec- 
tation of the hundreds of eastern people who spend 
their winters in that beautiful art palace. And again 
there is a quaint, historic, unique New Orleans, everj^ 
step of which is accentuated to the visitor in potent and 



cago, St. Louis, etc., Waupaca and Sparta being well 
represented. The vast expanse of water fronting Biloxi 
is always a scene of interest, with its sailing craft, 
steamers, tugs and innumerable rowboats. Fishing is 
usually very good, the angler having his choice in taking 
speckled trout, redfish, sheephcad, Spanish mackerel, 
alligator gar, shark, and during the summer months 
tarpon. Boating and sailing is ideal; fine facilities and 
immunity from danger. The shell streets are as smooth 
as concrete or asphalt, there being miles of these drives, 
and vehicles almost as numerous as flies at Lockhurst. 
Biloxi has a few good hotels, the leading one being the 
Hotel de Montross, managed by a Chicago gentleman, 
Mr. Sawford. The Breslow and the Beach House are 
also contiguous, while visitors rent furnished cottages 
and keep house. Accomodations can also be obtained 
in private families. The temperature did not go below 
30 degrees at any period last winter and heavy wraps 
were at a discount. The grand old live oaks are ever 
green in their majestic grandeur of expanse and there 






:/; M 







■■•'-''. , ■^■■: 











.u/,.|.i,r . ■ 



) ~i''^ M o /;/ I. r 



^w^ Kill '■■J--- ''■■ 



„..J 



CMUPMm >MMicr 



Map of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. 



reminiscent interest, the theme being fruitful alike for 
the historian, the painter, the poet or the visitor of to- 
day who may tour the city for weeks, yet daily discover- 
ing something old but ever new and passingh' absorbing 
in interest. New Orleans is the acknowledged Mecca 
of Mardi Gras sightseers from all points in our land and 
they are welcomed with that sincere cordiality of south- 
ern hospitality that actually puts us matter of fact 
westerners to the blush, in contrast to our climatic over 
reserve. But the spectacular panorama passes finally 
and remains but a memory of beautiful pictures, while 
the tired body and mind desires the solace of quieter 
retreats where one may rest and recuperate, "far from 
the madding crowd." Biloxi is an oasis to the satiated 
society devotee, as well as possessing a charm and fas- 
cination to that class of quiet people who do not chase 
the elusive will o" the wisp of mere society. Biloxi is a 
dimunitive city containing only about 6000 residential 
population which is augmented during the winter 
months by men and women of northern Wisconsin, Chi- 



among them are the pretentiovis or modest homes of the 
agreeable people. A more restful place to pass pleasant 
winter months can scarce be found. A more commodi- 
ous hotel is one of the great needs of Biloxi and the 
question of a new hotel is being agitated, which will 
doubtless result in a tangible solution of the subject and 
the consequent enlargement of the winter population 
from Wisconsin and other northern states. Biloxi suf- 
fered from the effects of a disastrous fire last November, 
which destroyed ninety business places and residences, 
but the scars are being obliterated by the erection of 
new and a better class of buildings. 



I* 3i\oxi (Srabeb Scbool S^etem 

©ne ot tbe XeaMuc; jfactors in tbc llpbuilMiuj of Soutb fiHississppi's flDost ipromincnt Cits. 



In keeping- with the wonderful onward march of 
projjress that has so distinyfuished Biloxi duriny the 
past decade has been the growth and development of 
her school system. However much opinions may have 
differed as to what constituted prog-ress along other 
lines there has been no division of sentiment or efforts 
in affairs educational. Since the city was organized as 
a separate school district in 1S'»1, the best and most in- 
telligent citizenship has stood shoulder to shoulder in 
every movement tending to put the best educational fa- 
cilities within the reach of every child. Without an 
exception all interests have been subordinated to the 
advancement and the perfecting- of the city's public 
schools. 

Such disinterestedness and earnestness have brought 
their sure rewards. Now every ward of the city has its 
commodious, beautiful and completely equipped school 
building, bringing the best facilities within reach of 
every home. Within the Second ward, the central and 
most densely populated section of the cit3-, is located 
the Central Primary School and the High School, both 
of them modern in architecture and the detailed ar- 
rangements and furnishings of up-to-date school build- 
ings. These two structures are gifts, the city having 
furnished only the grounds. The High School was 
erected in 1SS6 by Messrs. H. T. and Frank Howard at 
an outlay of S7,000, and the Primary School by Mr. H. 
T. Howard alone in 1808 at a cost of S->.500. These two 
buildings with their lieautiful grounds are valued at 
515,000. 

In the First ward is located the Point Cadet Primary 
School, and in the Third ward, the West End Primary 
School. Both of these adequate and handsome struc- 
tures with their commodious grounds are the gift of Mr. 
and Mrs. L. Lopez, Sr. They are valued at S3, 500 and 
S4,000 respectively. 

In the Fourth ward is the Back Bay Primary School. 
Mr. William Gorenflo is the donor of the grounds and 
Mr. W. K. Dukate of the pretty building. This prop- 
erty is valued at S3, 500. These last mentioned build- 
ings were all erected in 1898 and are equipped in every 
essential detail of modern scientific school — hygiene and 
furniture — by their thoughtful and progressive donors. 

The donation of these splendid buildings means 
much to the present as well as the prospective propertj' 
owners of Biloxi — it means that the city is not and will 
not be burdened with a bonded indebtedness for school 
facilities — it means that these liberal, broad-minded 
men, the builders of these buildings, have builded better 
and wiser than is apparent at first observation. These 
buildings are not only monuments of the philanthropic 
spirit of Biloxi's leading men, but they have left and do 
leave to the tax payers only the burden of furnish- 



ing funds for an adequate teaching force. Thus, 
the board of trustees, in whose hands is the em- 
ployment of teachers, have been enabled to increase the 
nun-iber of teachers as the growth of the school de- 
manded. This school board, five in number, is and has 
always been selected without reference to any partisan 
politics or party affiliation, but because of their fitness 
and pre-eminent (jualifications to discharge their respon- 
sible duties, the most important of which is the selec- 
tion of the faculty of the schools. How wisely and 
how well they have done this is evidenced by the con- 
stant imjirovement and progress of the schools. Much 
has been said of the educational equipment as regards 
buildings, but just as important and rapid has been the 
improvement in the spirit and personnel of the corps of 
teachers, and this is largely due to the present school 
board composed of Messrs. W. K. M. Dukate, president; 
F. W. Elmer, secretary; W. A. White. E. C. Joullian 
and J. H. Miller. During the incumbency of the ma- 
jority of this board the number of teachers has been in- 
creased from ten to fifteen, the salaries of grade teach- 
ers raised from S35 to S-45 per month, and the school 
term lengthened from seven to nine months. The fac- 
ulty of the schools for the ensuing term is as follows: 
J. H. Owings, superintendent; Leslie Patridge, princi- 
pal of the High School; Misses Holley, Robbins, Arm- 
strong, Tracy, Anding, Warren, Coman. Hann, Brooks, 
Lack and Hall, teachers in the various grades. Each 
member of the corps is a specialist in the work to which 
assigned. In their selection no sectionalism, sectarian- 
ism or nepotism has ever played a part. They came 
from several states and from different sections of the 
whole country, and can only secure and hold their places 
by the real merit of their work. This is true without 
an exception and is a thing that can l)e said of but few 
school systems. 

The colored school teachers and school are under the 
same school authorities as the white, and their teachers, 
of their own race, are as carefully chosen as are those of 
the white schools. 

The internal organization and grading of the schools 
is that recognized by highest authorities as the best 
for city systems. There are three main divisions or 
groups of grades or classes — the primary, consisting of 
four years of school work; the intermediate or grammar 
grades, occupying four 3-ears, and the high school de- 
partment, with a three year course. This makes eleven 
distinct grades, so that pupils entering the lowest at the 
age of 5 or 6 years complete the course at the age of 16 
or 17 years. The course is so arranged that pupils fin- 
ishing the high school are prepared to enter the college 
department of anj- of the state institutions. 

From the lowest to the highest grade the latest 




[.BiLOxi's PuBi^ic School Buildings. 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



17 



textbooks and methods of instruction arc in use, the 
teachers, ahnost without an exception, spend their sum" 
mer vacations attendinj>- some school of methods, either 
at some of the universities of the country or in the sum- 
mer normals hehl by the State Board of Education in 
various sections of the state. Under the state law the 
trustees select textbooks every five years. Just a year 
ajj'o the list of books in use in the schools was brought 
up to date by the adoption of the latest revisions of all 
important texts. 

The last school census shows that Biloxi has a 
school population of 2.300, the school age in Mississippi 
being from five to twenty-one years. This entitles the 
city to an annual pro rata of the state fund of approxi- 
mately S4,()00, which is supplementecrby a local tax of 
2 '2 mills, producing nearly as much more. The school 
lioard is thus enabled to ])ursue a liberal policy towards 
the schools which is resulting in the Biloxi schools be- 
ct)ming noted for their excellent organization and efficient 
work. They are rapidly becoming one of the most dis- 
tincti\-e and attractive features of the city, by their 
worth bringing nianv desirable homeseekers to locate 



within the reach of them. 

In South Mississippi Biloxi has been and is the 
leading city, and in no phase of communal life and 
progress is this more notably and literally true than in 
the excellence of lier schools, but the wave of educational 
ui)building, which had its rise in this city, has spread 
until every town and hamlet of the entire coast has felt 
its benign influence. From Scranton on the east to Bay 
St. Louis on the west there has been within the past 
few years a great educational awakening. Almost 
every village has built and equi])ped modern school- 
houses. Wide awake, progressive county superintend- 
ents have carried the spirit to the rural districts with 
splendid results. The movement has attracted the best 
teachers with the best methods from every section. Such 
is the present status of the schools and school systems 
of this region that they are considered to be the equal 
of any in the South. Moreover, the progress and growth 
of the past few years is prophetic of the future, when 
the coast will easily surpass all sections in the excellence 
of its schools, and in that developnunt Biloxi, as here- 
tofore, will hold the position of prominence. 




THE BILOXI ELECTRIC LIGHT PLANT, 



Zbe 



Canning IFn^ustries of 3i\oxi 



■ffntcrestino IRea&iuG Hbout tbe fiHost Umportant jfactor in "ClpbuilMng of Soutb /IDississippi. 



When the late Colonel Roderick Seal, in a speech 
in the legislature, referred to the Mississippi Sound as 
"God Almighty's meat house," the man who would have 
prophesied that the waters of the Sound and those ad- 
jacent would A'ield what they do today of edibles for 
mankind would have been regarded as a "day dreamer" 
or a lunatic. Then the canning of ovsters and shrimp 
was an unknown industry on the Gulf Coast. Then the 
castnet was the faithful table sen'ant, and man had 
not conceived of the coming future that the revolving 
wheels of Progress brings to man with each cycle of 
time. 

Progress 
never sleeps, 
but is ever 
hunting for 
(renius and En- 
terprise, the 
children he has 
select e d t o 
awaken the 
world to a full 
realization of 
the magnitude 
of the stores of 
wealth and 
ha])])iness it 
contains. 

About twen- 
ty - one years 
ago Genius 
brushed the 
mist from the 
\-isi()n of Mr. L. 
I^opez, Sr., and 
Mr. W. K. M. 

Dukate, Progress pointed out the way and Enterprise 
led the path into the vineyard where Fortune had 
planted the seeds of Success. Under the clear sun of 
Thought the^- saw before them Opportunity, with scep- 
tre in hand waving them forward, and they realized that 
the time for action was at hand. The field before them 
they had never cultivated, and to their vision was al- 
most a barren waste. Here Genius again appeared, 
opened the Aladdin lamp of Enterprise, and that which 
appeared barren waste before was a vineyard of the rich 
grapes of Success. 

With them to think was to act and a tirm com- 
posed of L. Lopez, Sr., F. W. Elmer, W. K. M. Dukate, 
James Maycock and Wm. Gorenflo, was formed, with a 
capital stock of $8,000. 

None of the gentlemen composing the pioneer can- 
ning factory company knew anything whatever about 




I.. I.OI'KZ. 



the industry they proposed starting. However, thej- 
did not propose to "go it blind," and, in order that the}' 
might commence coving oysters by the proper method, 
Mr. W. K. M. Dukate was selected to go to Baltimore 
and take observations and glean whatever information 
he could regarding the process. Mr. Dukate's aptitude 
was a guarantee to his associates in the business that 
whatever information he vouchsafed upon his return 
would be sufScient for them to commence the coving 
business. While absent, Mr. Dukate purchased the neces- 
sarj' machinery, etc., for coving oysters and canning 

shrimp, and the 
work was be- 
gun. 

Though at 
first their ef- 
fforts may have 
been crude, the 
product of the 
factory found 
ready sale and 
the companj' re- 
alized that the 
business was 
profitable. 

Messrs. Lo- 
pez and Dukate 
withdrew from 
the firm in 1884 
and organized 
another can- 
ning compan}-, 
under the style 
and name of 
Lopez, Dunbar 
Sons Co. The 
following }-ear the Barataria Canning Companj' was or- 
ganized. New Orleans business men composing its mem- 
bership. Following in rapid succession, the firms of 
Wm. Gorenfio & Co., E. C. Joullian & Co., and J. T. 
Maybury engaged in the business. The capital now em- 
ployed in these industries during the season aggregates 
S250,000, and for labor and raw material the weekly 
pay-roll is about 825,000. The number of people em- 
ployed is in the neighborhood of 2,500. The total an- 
nual output of these factories is from 200,000 to 450,000 
cases of oysters and from 30,000 to 40,000 cases of 
shrimp and from 10,000 to 15,000 cases of figs, and the 
product is shipped to all parts of the world. The excel- 
lency of the Biloxi oyster is of world wide fame for its 
flavor and size, and the demand for the gulf coast bi- 
valve is rapidly increasing in every section of the coun- 
try — both in this country and in Europe. The shrimp 



\V K. M. DUKAIK. 




Kactdkv Ilcii. dings of IvCJi'lCz & DuKATE, Canneks, Bii.oxi, Miss. 



20 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



here packed has no superior and the figs no equal in the 
marts of the world. Biloxi is the only place in the 
United States outside of New Orleans where shrimp is 
canned. 

In the canning- of cove oysters Biloxi stands second 
in importance in the United States, ranking next to Bal- 
timore. While it is true that a great many oysters are 
canned on the Atlantic coast, south of Norfolk, those 
packed at Biloxi are always given the preference over 
other points, on account of the size and flavor. It is 
claimed by manv that Biloxi oysters are equally good in 
everj' respect as those of Baltimore, the only difference 
being the label showing where packed. 



LOPEZ & DUKATE. 

This firm is composed of L. Lopez, Sr., and W. K. 
M. Dukate. They are the largest individual packers of 
oysters, shrimp and figs in the United States. Messrs. 
Lopez & Dukate are among the pioneers of the canning 
industry of the Gulf Coast, associating themselves in 
the beginning with the firm of Lopez, Elmer & Co., in 
1880; from a very small beginning as it were, they are 
now classed among the largest houses of like character in 
the country. 

The output of this firm for the past season, ending 
Mav 1, l')01, is a record breaker. Mr. Dukate, bv the 




Canning Factory of The E. C. Joullian Packing Company, Biloxi, Miss. 



The labor in the factories is mainly piece work, 
wages running from 60 cents to SI. 25 for women and 
children, while day labor is paid 15 cents per hour. 
Most of the capping of cans is done by machinery, and 
an expert machine operator will cap 20,000 cans per day. 
Suitable and comfortable quarters are provided for the 
laborers and no loafers are allowed around the premises. 
Coal is the principal fuel used, which is procured from 
the Alabama mines, while the cans are purchased about 
equallv between Chicago and Baltimore, owing to the 
cheapness of the two points. The scarcity of labor on 
the coast necessitates the importation of large numbers 
of Bohemians during th? oyster seasoij, 



way of a little calculation, says their output for the 
season was 525 carloads of canned oysters and shrimp, 
which would make twenty-six trainloads of twenty cars 
each. The reputation of their numerous brands, to- 
gether with their relations to the trade, never finds 
them with a sur])lus. 

This company's plant and labor quarters cover 
many acres of ground, and besides they are largely in- 
terested in the cultivation and planting of oysters on 
their private beds. They own some sixty odd vessels, 
both sail and steam, that are kept busy gathering the 
bivalves during the season. In addition to this, they 
;are in the market for all of the raw material that can 



THE BlLOXI DAILY HERALD. 



21 



be purchased. The time of Mr. Lopez is taken up in 
supervising: their large interests, and that of Mr. Du- 
kate is given to the sales department, etc. 

The head of the firm, Mr. L. Lopez, Sr., is one of 
the most progressive men in the state, while his partner, 
Mr. Dukate, keeps him an even pace in that line. Few- 
men have met with greater success in the financial and 
business world than have they. In public enterprises 
their handiwork is visible on ever}- hand, and no two men 
have done as much for Biloxi and this coast country as 
have Messrs. Lopez & Dukate. In fact the establish- 
ment of their packing industry here laid the foundation 
that has built Biloxi into the beautiful and progressive 



room increases. He contemplates extensive improve- 
ments within the next eighteen months, which, when 
made, will place him among the foremost packers on 
the Mississippi Coast. The present factory, located on 
what is known as Back Bay, is a commodius building, 
100x250 feet in size, where 300 men, women and children 
tind employment during the canning season. A fleet 
of thirty-tive boats, a part of which the company owns, 
also gives employment to many more — 200 or more. 
The Joullian factory has a daily capacity for 1,000 
barrels oysters and 150 barrels shrimp. Vegetable can- 
ning will be given an important place in the business 
in the future. Mr. Joullian is also half owner in the 




CANNING Factory of Wji. Gorenflo & Co., Biloxi, Miss. 



city she is today — "The Queen City of the Coast." 
Their product comprises cove oysters, canned 
shrimp and figs, of which manv thousands of cases are 
shipped }-early. 



E. C. JOULLIAN PACKING CO. 

The E. C. Joullian Packing Company, of Biloxi, 
established in 1S88, has developed from a S75 plant to 
an industry doing a heavy business in canned oysters 
and shrimp. Mr. Joullian is now packing 150,000 cases 
of oysters and 25,000 cases of shrimp annually, and en- 
larging his factory from year to year as the demand for 



Biloxi Canning Company, the pioneer factory of the 
Mississippi Gulf Coast. 



BARATARIA CANNING COMPANY. 

This is one of the largest industries on the Gulf 
Coast, and its product has a worldwide reputation. The 
company's plant is 200x1500 feet, the buildings covering 
30,000 feet of ground space. This companj' emploj-s 
400 to 500 people, and have ample room for every busi- 
ness purpose. They are large shippers of raw oysters 
and pickled shrimp, their oyster capacity being 150,000 
cans per day. The following are the brands of oysters 
they pack and ship: "Barataria," "Favorite," "Eu- 



22 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



rckii," ''Excelsior," and the "Pride of the Gulf" shrimp. 
The product of this companj- is handled bj' the princi- 
pal jobbing- firms of the United States, and they guaran- 
tee all of their yfoods to be equal to any in every way. 



WM. GORENFLO & CO. 

The senior member of this iirm, in connei:tit)n with 
Mr. L. Lopez, was the first to engage, in a small way, 
in the oyster industry in Biloxi, and with Mr. L. Lopez, 
Mr. W. K. M. Dukate and others, started what is now 
the Biloxi Canning Company, and were the first firm in 
Biloxi to engage in the packing of cove oysters, shrimp, 
etc. The i)resent firm was organized in 1886, and has 
been successful from the start, their products having 
been successfully introduced throughout the country. 
The}' are also large shippers of raw oysters and own 
large beds of their own. Mr. (ror- 
enflo's long experience in this trade 
is a sufficient guarantee of the 
worth of the goods put on the mar- 
ket bv this long established house. 



RAW OYSTER SHIPMENTS. 

Biloxi leads in the matter of 
raw oyster shipments, and the mil- 
lions of succulent bivalves shipped 
from here in season is astonishing 
to the uninitiated. Besides those 
shipped by the factories, there are 
independent shippers of oysters who 
do an enormous business in that 
line. The Biloxi oyster is rapidly 
growing into favor in the majority 
of the northern and western cities 
and towns, and is to a large degree 
supplanting oysters from other 
beds. 




THOMAS 

Maii.i^rer of tlif S.isli, 



T. J. ROSELL & CO. 

It has become very noticeable of late that in every 
instance where a new industrial enterprise, or any other 
in fact, is inaugurated in Biloxi, it becomes a decided 
improvement on that which has been done before. Of 
this we were forcibly reminded in the new plant, lately 
erected on the railroad, by Thomas J. Rosell & Co., as 
an up-to-date, modern and thoroughly eijuijjped sash, 
door and blind factory. The old plant on Reynoir 
street proved inadequate for 'the rapidly increasing 
business and a removal was an absolute necessity. 

The establishment now given over to manufactur- 
ing the celebrated products of T. J. Rosell & Co., is a 
ver)- elaborate affair, and covers, with the warehouses, 
165,000 square feet. The main building is 50 feet in 
height, 130 feet in width and 190 feet in length, occupv- 
ing a ground space for setting and working of forty-two 
different machines which turn out the work from this 



factory. The power necessary to run these machines 
is generated from V)0 horse power boilers, with a 100 
horse power engine. There are forty-four windows in 
the skylight, occupying a space of 20x80 feet, which 
diffuses all the light necessary. There is probably at 
present 800,000 feet of the very best lumber on the 
ground awaiting transformation, and in the course of 
a year this factory consumes 3,000,000 feet of the same. 
With all the various buildings, sheds, etc., this manu- 
facturing concern is one of the largest in the South. 
The dry kiln covers some 728 square feet of surface. 
The stock room is located on the east end of the build- 
ing and is connected by a switch running to the kiln, 
with the main tracks of the Louisville & Nashville 
railroad, thus expediting matters greatly. This estab- 
lishment when under full headway gives employment to 
some forty-five employes, thus feeding a small army of 
persons. The introduction of boxmaking machinery, 
some fifteen machines being re- 
quired, gives employment to many 
of our people. A large number of 
the various oyster, shrimp and fruit 
canning factories in this part of the 
south are now being supplied by 
this factory with boxes, cases, etc. 
Its daily capacity is 5,000 boxes of 
all sizes. The class of work turned 
out is famous wherever introduced. 
Church and school fixtures, such as 
pews, pulpits, seats, desks, etc., are 
nnich prettier and more durable 
than those manufactured at other 
points. Store and bar fixtures are 
indeed a feature. Some of the 
finest can be seen right here in 
Biloxi, as well as at many other 
points remote from this citj*. 

Mouldings, casings, scrolls, 
corner and plinth blocks, brackets, 
stair rails, newel posts, balusters, 
sash, doors, blinds, etc., are turned out of this establish- 
ment with a rapidity that has made the name synonym- 
ous with dispatch, quickness, beauty and cheapness. 
A leading feature of this company is the furnishing of 
glass suitable for store fronts of any size and style, 
thereby saving insurance fees in transit and breakage 
over long distances traveled. In fact there is nothing 
in the building line but what this factory manufactures 
and within a radius of several hundred miles its products 
can be found. Shipments are made to Alabama and 
Louisiana and to the principal cities in those states. 
The original firm was Gill, Rosell & Co., and was so 
known until February 6, 1899, when Messrs. Lopez and 
Dukate became associated with Mr. Rosell, who is con- 
sidered one of the finest experts in the business in this 
country. The capital is $35,000, and with the made-up 
and raw material included would be augmented to near 
$50,(00 invested in a plant that redounds to the credit 
of those therein engaged, and a standing monument to 
the enterprise of the people of Biloxi. 



J. KOSELL. 

Door anil Bliml Factory. 




Buii^DiNGS OF T, J. KosRij. & Co., Sash, Dook and Blind Factokv. 



24 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



S>ukate's ^beatrc. 

Erected bg m. He. /ID. IDuhate. in 1899. 



November 8, 1S')S, Mr. W. K. M. Dukate awarded 
the contract for erecting- his theatre to Messrs. C. H. 
Owen and E. L Suter, contractors of this city, at a cost 
of S40,000, and on the 15th day of June, seven months 
later, the structure rose from the ground, complete and 
beautiful — an ornament and a credit to the city and an 
enduring testimonial to the founder. 



floor, at the head of which is a large triple window of 
art glass, and thence to the theatre. This part of the 
building is prettily finished off in hard oil finish. 

The seating capacity of the theatre is about 700, 
sub-divided as follows : Par(|uette 428, balcony 178, and 
the pit 94. The theatre will, however, easily accommo- 
date 1.000 spectators. 

The chairs in the front section of the parquette are 
of leather seats and veneered backs; those of the rear 
section have veneered seats and plush backs; the chairs 
in the balcony and pit are veneered. They are of the 
folding variety, and such as are used in our metropolitan 
theatres. There are four boxes, one on each side of the 




Dckatk's Thkatkp:, Liloxi, Miss. 



The building is two and one-half stories in height 
in front and rises to the imposing height of five stories 
in the rear, which was made necessary 1)3' the require- 
ments of the stage accoutrements. The first section of 
the facade is of pressed brick and stone, and is of Grecian 
design, while the upper one is of pressed brick and stucco. 
A most pleasing and striking effect is produced by the 
granite pileasters with their Corinthian capitals and the 
arches with their carved ke3stones. 

The main entrance is in the west wing of the build- 
ing which is spacious and paved with mosaic piling and 
leads to the foyer where is located the handsome box 
office and the stairway leading to the lobbv on second 



stage on the first floor and two in the balcon\-. They 
are respectively Doric and Linian in design and are richly 
and artisticallv furnished with silk (]rai)eries and carpet, 
the furniture being fancy rattan rockers. The outside 
of the boxes is set off in stereo relief of pretty pattern. 
The theatre is lighted b)' electricit.v and has about 
500 Ih candle power incandescent lamps. Another fea- 
ture is the circle overhead which has a burst of lights 
and which is ornamented by a handsome border around 
the grille and a fringe of stereo-relief. The balcony 
and pit railings almost def}- description by pen. They 
are stereo relief with a leaf and flower design and fin- 
ished off with white and gold. When illuminated, the 



THE BILOXI DAILY HEKALD. 



2.T 



effect is dazzling-. Probably one of the most attractive 
features of the interior is the proscenium arch which is 
also finished similarl}- to the pit and balcony railinys 
except that the stereo-relief is slifjhtly different in 
design. In the center of the arch is a lyre about four 
feet high, bearing- the year "189'J." The sides and 
ceiling of the theatre are plastered, and are rounded off 
in most graceful curves, which suggest the ancient Doric 
and lonion st3'les of architecture. Our pen is inadequate 
to fully portray this part of the theatre and -we will 
therefore not attempt it. Suffice it to say that the 
effect is both beautiful and soothing. 

Now we come to an important feature of the house 



from the lly gallery, and it is so arranged that there 
can be no interruption in successfully manipulating the 
most rajiid changes. The drop curtain repre^-ents a 
scene in old Italy, with its lake, its mountains, cattle, 
etc. It is quite gorgeous and adds much U> the theatre. 
The foot lights alternate in color. 

There are two stairways leading from the stage to 
the greenroom, which is large and comfortable and will 
be appreciated by the actors and their friends after the 
play. On either side of the greenroom are located the 
dressing rooms, six in number, which are furnished with 
all the necessary conveniences. 

Although our efforts to describe Mr. Dukate's 




The City Hall and Makkf.t, IJn.oxi, Ml-;s. 



— the stage. Many otherwise good i)layhouses have 
been rendered almost unfit for use by an incorrectly 
built stage, that is one that could not i)ermit the staging 
of a plaj' by reason of its smallness. In the construction 
of this theatre Mr. Dukate took special care to avoid 
this mistake by making the stage large and roomy. Its 
dimensions are thirty feet deep by forty-five wide and 
fortj-'six to the grid-iron. It will comfortably accom- 
modate a cast of forty or flfty._ The scenery, which was 
specially made for the theatre by Sosman & Sanders, 
the well known scenic artists of Chicago, and represent- 
atives of landscape scenery is susceptible of 150 changes. 
This paraphernalia is all counter weighted and operated 



theatre have fallen immeasural ly short in actual de- 
tail. \et the reader may gather from the foregoing an 
idea as to its completeness and magnificence, lively 
detail of the great institution was personally supervised 
by Mr. Dukate himself, and so well has he executed the 
work that it admits of no improvement. The theatre 
as it stands today is one of the best ei,uipped, hand- 
somest and most modern playhouses in the South. It 
places Biloxi among the foremost cities of the South 
and it stamps its founder, Mr. W. K. M. Dukate, as a 
progressive man and conscious of the necessities of the 
present day. Well indeed may it be said of him that 
he would be an acquisition to any community. 



Coast Soil, 
Climate an& 
nnarftets all 
tavorable to 
farming. 



Bgvicultural ITntereete 

jfarming, StocI? IRaising, /IDarUet (Bardening anJ) ffrutt (Stowing 

By Prof. S. M. TRACT, Formerly Dirpctor of ilis.iissippi Agricultural Experiment Station. 



(Suit Coast 
offers some 
unusual a&« 
vautages to 
tbe farmer. 



The country along the Gulf Coast offers unusual at- 
tractions to the general farmer, the stock raiser, the 
market gardener, or the fruitgrower. The climate, the 
soil, and the markets are all in his favor. The climate 
is more uniform than further north, the summer heat 
seldom exceeding 90 degrees, while the winter temper- 
ature rarel.v falls below 20 degrees, and the cold weather 
lasts only a few daj's. The rain fall is abundant, about 
60 inches annually, and is so well distributed through- 
out the year that crops rarely suffer from the drouth. 

The surface soil is usually a mellow, sandy loam, 
which is easily worked and kept in good condition. The 
subsoil, except a narrow strip along the waters' edge, is 
a heavy clay, coming to within a few inches of the 
surface, and this gives the loamy top soil the very best 
foun(fation and makes it permanently productive with 
the use of only a small amount of fertilizer. Near the 
coast the lands are low and nearly level, but are suf- 
ficiently rolling to give good drainage with little or no 
ditching. Back from the coast the land rises gradually, 
reaching a height of about seventj'-five feet within three 
miles of the gulf, and becoming somewhat hilly. All 
of these lands have an abundant suppl}' of springs and 
running streams, and flowing artesian wells can be se- 
cured b}' boring to a depth of from 600 to 700 feet. 

For stock raising this region is one of the best in 
the whole country-, as the pine woods furnish good 
grazing the entire 3'ear, and there is never a month 
when, crops are not growing in the fields. At present 
the unfenced range is practicall}' unlimited, and so well 
stocked with rich grasses that cattle feeding upon them 
are ready for the butcher at any time from Maj' until 
December. Thousands of cattle spend the entire winter 
on the range, and probablj' less than one third of the 
beef cattle grown here ever see an ear of corn or a pound 
of meal. Sheep raising has been an important industrj* 
here ever since the early Spanish settlements were made, 
nearl}' 200 years ago, and the "Lake Wool" grown about 
Biloxi has a national reputation and commands the 
highest price. The sheep from which this wool is 
clipped are practically self-supporting, as they live on 
the range during the entire year and receive no feed and 
have no shelter or protection except what they find for 
themselves. In fact, their owners seldom see them ex- 
cept when they are rounded up for shearing and mark- 
ing. Disease is almost unknown among them and, while 
many young lambs are killed bj' dogs and hogs, the nat- 
ural increase of the flocks is about 25 per cent, annually, 
or more than enough to pay the slight expense of shear- 
ing and marking, leaving all the wool as net profit. 

The natural pastures are all that can be asked, fur- 
nishing green feed from January' until December. The 
United States Department of Agriculture reports 218 
species of grasses as growing within twentv miles of 



Biloxi, a larger number than has been reported from any 
other locality- in the whole country, and in a region so 
rich in natural pastures there can be ho lack of good 
grazing. On the wild lands where the pasturing is light 
the water grasses, wire grasses, mutton cane, redtop, 
lespedeza and a score of others furnish a constant succes- 
sion of varieties for all seasons. On lands which have 
been more closely grazed, "carpet grass" is at its best, 
and is to the coast countrj' what blue grass is to the 
North. It "comes in" quickly on all pastured lands, 
and will bear more close grazing and hard tramping 
than will cltij other good pasture grass. It takes pos- 
session of every roadside, and even of the most sand}' 
fields, after one or two seasons of grazing, it remains 
fresh and green through the whole year and is relished 
by all kinds of stock. 

Hay can be produced in great abundance and at a 
verj' slight cost, as heavy crops can be made at a nom- 
inal expense on fields from which other crops have been 
harvested earlier in the season. Whenever crops are 
taken off as early as July the ground is soon covered 
by a dense growth of crabgrass, or a mixture of grass 
and Mexican clover, either of which makes a haj' of fine 
quality. One old Illinois farmer who located within 
five miles of Biloxi said to us recenth': "Last j'ear I 
had twent.v acres of cucumbers in my peach orchard, and 
after harvesting the crop I kept the ground clean around 
the trees and then cut from the field thirty-five tons of 
as fine haj' as I ever used, and that is good enough grass 
for me." His hay cost him absoluteh' nothing but the 
harvesting. The cow pea is another ha}' plant which 
always gives a profitable crop, making two or more tons 
per acre of a hay which is fully as valuable as that from 
the best of red clover. Whenever a field is not needed 
for other crops during an}' two months of warm weather 
it can always be made to yield a good crop of peavine 
hay, and four months of our coldest weather will permit 
the growth of a heavy crop of oats. From the fact that 
only a small proportion of the land is in cultivation hay 
is always in good demand, and one of the most profitable 
crops which can be grown. 

Among the grain crops corn and oats do well. Corn 
matures by August and oats in May, so that either crop 
is out of the way in ample time for cow peas or some 
other crop to follow. Upland rice is grown very com- 
monly, and often two crops are made from the same 
ground, the second one being a volunteer and worth 
nearly as much as the first. Sugar cane grows finely 
and nearly every family raises enough to make molasses 
for home use, while many farmers are finding it a 
profitable crop. Although the yield of cane is less per 
acre than on some of the alluvial lands of Louisiana, it 
contains a larger percentage of sugar, and so is worth 
more per ton than where heavier crops are grown. The 



28 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



l>iiie lands produce heavy crops of long staple cotton, 
and that crop was formerh- grown here quite extensively, 
but in recent years the rapid growth of the towns and 
their popularity as places of resort for both summer and 
winter visitors has made other crops more profitable. 

A great part of the cultivated land near Biloxi is 
devoted to the growing of fruits and garden truck for 
which there is a growing demand in the local market, 
while the surplus finds a ready market in Moljile and 
New Orleans. 

In a region where the growing season is so long 
and heavy frosts are so rare a small area of land mav be 
made to produce an immense amount of truck in the 
course of a year, two crops being always possible, while 



here quite extensivel}', the main crop maturing in July, 
while a second crop, maturing in October, often gives a 
good profit. Cabbage, lettuce, peas, beets, radishes, 
turnips and other hardy vegetables grow well during 
the entire winter, and all which are grown in excess of 
the local demand give good profits when shipped to 
northern markets. The Gulf Coast is called "The Gar- 
den of America," but nowhere else in this favored re- 
gion can be found a better soil and a more favorable cli- 
mate than in the immediate vicinity of Biloxi, while the 
rapidly growing demand in this and nearby towns 
maintains prices which are very satisfactorj- to the 
growers. 

Kniit growing is as successful and as profitable as 




Jkfferson Davis' Home, Beauvoir. Wiss. 



three or four are often grown on the same land. Plant- 
ing begins in January and does not end until December, 
and there is not a day in the entire 3'earwhen fresh veg- 
etables may not be gathered from any well inanaged 
garden. No finer sweet potatoes than those brought 
into the Biloxi market from the first of July until the 
last of May can be found anywhere. The bulk of the 
crop is not planted till July, and as it is then planted 
on ground from which Irish potatoes, beans, melons or 
some other crop has just been harvested, it costs but 
little. Irish potatoes are often planted as early as De- 
cember, and good fall crops are made by planting in 
August. The soil and climate produce watermelons 
and cantekmpcs of the finest (luality, and both are grown 



is market gardening. Grapes are alwa.vs uniformly 
satisfactory, making a vigorous growth and bearing 
heavily on all classes of soils. Peach trees bearing fruit 
of fine qualitj^ are common in everj' fence corner, and 
nowhere else do the finer Japanese plums do better than 
here. The woods are full of blackberries and dewber- 
ries, while strawberries planted in August make a heav}' 
yield the following spring. Pear trees grow unusually 
well, bear heavily, and are affected by blight no more 
than in other parts of the country. Last year a promi- 
nent northern nurseryman purchased twelve barrels of 
Biloxi grown pears for use as samples, the fruit grown 
here being the largest and finest he could find in the 
whole countrv. Oranges have been grown here for 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



29 



man)' years, and thoug-h an occasional winter injures 
the trees by killinfj the tops, they sprout from the roots 
and soon begin bearing again. Although the winter of 
1897-98 was the most severe on record, one orange grower 
within live miles of Biloxi will ship several thousand 
fruits this season. Japanese persimmons, olives, guavas 
and other semi-tropical fruits are grown in nearly every 
garden. The tig, however, is the one fruit which is 
universally grown and most highly i)rized. Every old 
garden has a few line old trees which never fail to bear 
heavy annual crops. For several years past the canning 
factories have bought all ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^_ 

the figs they could get, ^ 
and have paid good prices 
for them, 4 cents a pound 
being the usual rate. 
The crop from a single 
tree will often bring S3() 
to S4() and as the trees 
begin to bear the next 
year after they are plant- 
ed they soon become 
(juite profitable. Biloxi 
exports more preserved 
figs than does any other 
city outside of California, 
and the business is in- 
creasing rapidly. To 
enumerate all the fruits 
which are now being 
grown within ten miles 
of Biloxi would make this 
too much like a nursery- 
man's catalogue. We 
cannot grow the northern 
currant and gooseberry 
successfully, nor can we 
grow the bread fruit and 
the date (lalm of the 
tropics, but we know of 
no locality where the 
number of fruits which 
can be grown successfully 
and profitably is greater 
than here on the Gulf 
Coast. Unimproved land 
can be bought for very 
moderate prices, and the 
pine woods are so open 
and clear of undergrowth 

that clearing is not expensive. A great deal of the 
interior land is still open to homestead entry, and 
would-be settlers can find desirable homes in the sec- 
tions offered by the government. Other lands suitable 
for cultivation and conveniently near the city can be 
obtained at prices ranging from SI. 25 to SIO per acre 
and much of it on verj' liberal terms of credit. The 
.lands between Bay St. Louis and Scranton are universally 
admitted to be the finest on the Gulf Coast, and the 
ino^t attractive section of this pntire region is tbe eovm- 



try surrounding Biloxi. We know of no other place 
where a comfortable home and a good living can be 
made more easilv than here. 



SHIP ISLAND AND ITS HARBOR. 

Immediately in front of Biloxi lies Ship Island, 
some twelve miles distant, which gives to ocean-going 
vessels one of the safest and most commodious harbors 
in the world — with water enough to float the navies of 
the earth. Ship Island is some fifteen miles in length, 
the United States (juar- 




The Bank of Biloxi, Biloxi, Miss 



antine station being situ- 
ated at the east end of the 
ishnul. and the goverr- 
m^Mit light house and old 
Fort Mas^a:husctts at 
the w_'st end. A vessel 
drawing 2.^ feet can easily 
enter through the pass 
and carry 20 feet five miles 
toward mainland through 
the deep water liasin, 
which is one mile wide at 
the narrowest part, rang- 
ing from that to three 
miles wide. \'essels have 
sailed over the bar carry- 
ing 1,300,000 feet of yel- 
low pine lumber. Two 
thirds of the luml>er and 
timber exported from this 
coast is loaded at Ship 
Island harbor, anl the 
work is constantly going 
on. The harbor is almost 
land-locked by Ship and 
Cat Islands, furnishing 
security which vessels find 
at but few other harbors 
on the western hemis- 
phere. Vessels from al- 
most every nation of the 
earth seek anchorage and 
cargoes of lumber and 
timber[in'Ship Island har- 
bor, and from that point 
sail for every quarter of 
the globe with Mississipjii 
pine, which is carried 
from the main land to the harbor on lighters. From 
Biloxi to the harbor there is a channel 120 feet wide, 
where vessels drawing nine feet of water can i^ly. 
What is now urgently needed is better facilities for 
loading the vessels at Ship Island, and were this but 
accomplished the Mississippi coast shipments would un- 
doubtedly be quadrupled. As it is they are very large, 
and are steadily increasing. At times there are from 
forty to sixty vessels in the harbor, either loading or 
waiting propitious weather to put to S?ftf 






XLbc (3ulf Coast an6 pine IRcQion 

II^l•csel.tc^ bv M. M. 'iHa?&\> at Soutbcru flitMistrial Con\icution, IRcw Qrlcaus, H)cc. 5, 1000. 



It is not possible to adequately set forth the re- 
sources and possibilities of the Gulf Coast and the lon^'- 
leaf pine reffion of Mississippi within the limit of a 
pajier suitable to an occasion like the present. I can 
only hope to state the facts that will stimulate in<|uiry 
which properly pursued will lead to a more jjerfect 
knowledg'e of them. 

Mississiijpi's coast line is al)out seventy-tive miles in 
extent, borderinfr on Mississippi Sound, and is upon an 
averag-e about fifteen feet above mean low tide and is 
generally dry, sand}-, free from swamps and lag'oons. 
The Sound is one of the most beautiful bodies of water 
to be found anywhere and is formed by a series of islands 
be.uinnin.ir with Petit Bois on the east and extending- to 
f';it Island on the west, forming the segment of a cres- 
cent. These islands are situated from six to twelve 
miles from the main shore and form a series of natural 
break-waters that protect the sound from the seas of the 
gulf in times of storm. 

There are along this coast line numerous small har- 
l)urs and inlets where light draft vessels ma\' safely an- 
chor, but of these it is not my purpose to speak. There 
is a large and cajsacious harbor, however, of which lit- 
tle is known to the commercial world, which is destined 
in the near future to play an important part in the trade 
and commerce of the western hemisphere. I refer to 
Ship Island harbor which is situated about midway be- 
tween Mobile and New Orleans. 

This harbor is accessible from the giilf through 
Cat Island Pass on the west, and Horn Island Pass on 
the east, with a dei)th in each, of about twenty-one to 
twenty-two feet at mean low tide. The depth of water 
in the anchorage is from three to six fathoms, and its 
area is sufficient to accommodate twice the combined 
shii>ping of Mobile and New Orleans. This harbor is 
protected by three break-waters, namely: Horn Island 
on the southeast. Ship Island on the south and Cat Is- 
land on the southwest. Not a ship has ever been lost in 
this harbor since it was first discovered by de Iberville 
in 1698, to the present time, of which there is any re- 
corded account. It shi'ltere<l Packenh;im's fleet in the 
war of 1812. and l'\irragtit's in the civil war. 

The most marvelous thing in connection with this 
harbor remains to be stated, and it is, that up to within 
the past five years neither State nor Federal govern- 
ment has ever taken any serious steps to make this 
splendid harbor accessible, to and from the shore, for 
purpose of trade and commerce, and all the ships of com- 
merce that have come to that harbor for the past two 



hundred years have come in liallast, because there was 
no way of delivering cargoes upon the shore. 

But hajipily this state of things will soon cease, and 
the ships from e\ery sea, bearing cargoes from every 
land and clime, will be alile to deliver their cargoes on 
the railroad pier at Gulfport. The Federal government 
two years ago, made a small and inadeijuate appropria- 
tion of S250,000 for the improvement of this harbor and 
the work of dredging a ship channel to the railroad pier 
near the shore has been begun, and in a few years, cer- 
tainly within the next decade, a channel ti\e hundred 
feet wide and thirty-five feet deep will connect this 
splendid harbor with a commodious anchorage basin 
near the shore accessible to the railroads now running 
into (julfport, or that may hereafter lie built to that 
]ioint. 

With the construction of the Nicaragua canal now 
made evident by the occurrences of the jjast two years 
in the history of our country, commerce and trade will 
demand that the government adeiiuatelx' imjirove this 
harbor until it shall become sufficient for all their needs 
and requirements. 

Commerce is exchange. Hence the true lines of 
commerce run with the parallels of longitude and not 
with the parallels of latitude, because the people who 
live on the same lines of latitude have nothing to ex- 
change with each other, for the simple reason that their 
products in the main are of the same kind and charac- 
ter, but this is not true of peoples who live on the same 
lines of longitude. 

There are between forty and fifty millions of peo- 
ple living south of us, and eighty-live per cent of the 
trade and commerce of these, our next door neighbors, 
goes to Europe, while only fifteen per cent, comes to the 
United States. This state of affairs is destined to end 
at an early date. The construction of the Nicaraugua 
canal will revolutionize the commerce of the world, and 
make the Gulf of Mexico the Mediteranean of the west- 
ern hemisphere, and since population, wealth and intel- 
ligence follow the lines of commerce, every harbor on 
our gulf coast will become a center of population, wealth 
and intelligence. Then it is that Shii) Island harbor, 
broad, deep, of easy access from the gulf and protected 
by break-waters on every side, built by the omnipotent 
hand of the Almighty, will receive that aid from the 
government, now entering upon its marvelous career of 
paternalism, that will make it second to none in the 
United States. Onl}' a few miles from the main shore, 
and within rifle shot of the open gulf, and yet securely 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



51 



protected from its storms, the ships of all nations will 
seek its 'anchorage and its cheap coal and the trade 
that will meet them from the teeming millions of the 
interior who will find their cheapest outlet to the mar- 
kets of the world through this harbor. 

A coaling station can be established on Ship Island 
and the coal brought in barges from the Warrior coal 
fields down the river and through Mobile Bay and Mis- 
sissippi Sound in quantities sufficient to supph' all the 
navies of the world and at a price that would defy 
competition. Even now coal is brought to Gulfport by 
rail and it is lightered out to the ships at prices that 
fairly compete with Mobile and New Orleans. And even 
now, without the ship channel, lumber is being exported 



ozone. The water supplied by artesian wells is of the 
very purest kind, and the semi-tropical fruits can be had 
throughout the year. 

On examination of Maury's Physical Geography 
it will be seen that the Isothermal line of Bermuda, the 
health resort of the world, passes along our gulf coast, 
and it is not strange, therefore, that it should be stated 
in Chambers' Encyclopedia that the mortality on the 
gulf coast of Mississippi is the lowest of an}- section of 
the United States. The well to do people of the bliz- 
zard stricken sections of the northwest are rapidly learn- 
ing the superior advantages of a winter resort afforded 
b)' our coast country, and already great numbers an- 
nually spend their winters along the coast; and if ample, 




The New Bridge Across the Back Bav_of_Biloxi. 



through the port at the rate of about 14,000,000 feet per 
month, at a saving of sixty cents per 1,000 feet over all 
competitors. 

A health resort. 

As a health resort the Mississippi coast line is un- 
surpassed by any section of our great country. Es- 
pecially is this true of it as a winter resort. The land 
is high and dr\-, being free from swamps and lagoons, 
there is absolutely no malaria and hence no chills, fevers 
or other diseases that have their origin in malarial 
poisons. The thermometer rarely rises above ninety in the 
summer, or falls below thirty-two above in the winter. 
The average temperature in the winter being from fifty 
to sixty degrees, with balmy gulf breezes charged with 



efficient, up to date hotels were'afifordedjat the^different 
points along the coast this large number of visitors 
would be greath' increased. 

As a summer resort, it is unsurpassed anywhere in 
the south. Its refreshing, healthful breezes from the 
gulf, excellent bathing, boating and fishing'^now annu- 
all.v attract to its shores nearly 100,000 people. 

FISH and oysters. 

Mississippi Sound is literally alive with fish, shrimp 
and crabs, to say nothing of the oyster reefs, which seem 
to be practically inexhaustible. The catch is increasing 
largely year by year, but with the time and means at 
my disposal I have been unable to get reliable statistics 
showing the volume of business annually done, but it is 



32 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



safe to say that it amounts up into tlu- Inmdreds of 
thousands of dollars per annum. 

The Biloxi oysttr is rapidlx liOLominji' as famous as 
the Chespeake, and in time will e(|ual, if it does not out- 
strip it in popular favor. There cannot be a more in- 
vitinj,^ field for protital)le investment than in eatchinji- 
oysters, tish, shrimp, etc., alon-f the Mississippi Sound 
for the extensive markets now accessible by reason of 
the imitroved railroad facilities for transporting them. 

THE LONG LK.^K PINE REGION. 

The lonji- leaf pine reg-ion of Mississippi lies almost 
entirely South of the Alabama & Vicksburgr railroad, 
extending- from the Alabama line west to the southwest- 
ern boundary of Hinds county, then southwesterly to 
the Mississippi Valley railroad, thence south to the 
gfulf, embracing twenty-five counties and covering an 
area of about 1,^,00(1 S(|uare miles, or a little less than 
one-third of the total area of the state. 

If we deduct from this area 20 per cent, on which 
there grow hardwoods, 14 per cent, from which pine has 
been cut, and (> per cent for the farms, l)uildings, etc., 
we have left M) per cent, of the standing ])ine, or an area 
of about nine thousand scjuare miles, and as there are 
f>40 a:res to the square mile, we have the following table: 

Number of acres of standing pine, 5,8()0,000. Esti- 
mating- 4,0(11) feet to the acre, gives 23,040,000,000 feet. 
At SIO per 1,000 feet it is worth S2.^0, 400,000. 

There are now in operation on the various lines of 
railway, traversing this region, with an annual output 
as follows: 

On the Mobile & Ohio railroad, fourteen saw mills 
with an annual output of SO, 000, 000 feet. 

On the New Orleans & Northeastern railroad, fift}' 
mills with an annual output of about _.^00. 000, 000 feet. 

On the Illinois Central railroad, thirty-four mills 
with an annual output of about 250,000,000 feet. 

On the Gulf & Ship Island railroad, seventy mills 
with an annual output of 350,ZZi,0 f eet. 

Two letters of inquiry failed to elicit any response 
from the L. & N. railroad, but I assume the ^-early out- 
put on that road amounts to about 100,000,000 feet, 
making- a grand annual output of 1,000,000,000 feet. Es- 
timating this lumber f. o. b. at SIO per 1,000 feet it 
yields the round sum of 510,000,000, ei|ual to one-fourth 
the entire cotton crop of the state. 

Taking the estimate of the standing pine hereinbe- 
fore given and the present rate of consumption, it will 
take twenty-five years to manufacture the merchantible 
pine now standing. If we add to that the growth of 
the smaller timber during these years it is not unreason- 
able to say that at the present rate of consumption it 
will take thirty years to denude the pine forests of Mis- 
sissippi. I have been unable to get the necessary data 
to enable me to give the number of planing mills and 
shing-le mills, but there are a large number and they are 
increasing in number ever}- year and doing a most profit- 
able business. Neither have I been able to collect the 
data from which to make .any reliable fstjijiate of the 



volume of business done in the manufacture of rosin and 
turpentine, but the business is very large and of late 
years very remunerative and is constantly on the in- 
crease. 

Is it any woniler that the pine region of Mississippi 
is today perhaps the most prosperous portion of our 
great state? The increase of population in this region 
during the last decade shows a general average of about 
40 per cent, (though many portions of it have increased 
50 to 100 per cent. ). 

The statistics of wealth have not yet been issued 
by the government and hence no comparison can be 
made to show the increase over the previous decade, but 
it is safe to say that it has been much larger than the 
increase in jiopulation. 

THE ERA OF PERM.\NENT PRO.SPERITY. 

The (juestion naturally suggests itself to the minds 
of those who are not familiar with this section, whether 
or not the sandj- lands on which the ^-ellow pine grows 
will be of any value after the timber is cut off. At one 
time this was regarded as a very serious (juestion but 
to those who are familiar with the productiveness of 
these lands under the intensive system of farming-, it is 
no longer a doubtful problem. Indeed the era of perma- 
nent and continued prosperity will have just fairly begun 
when the saw timber is all cut off and made into lum- 
ber. No man without a small fortune to begin with, 
could clear up and put in cultivation these heavily tim- 
bered lands; but when the mills have cut off the timber 
the clearing and fencing ready for the plow is an easy 
matter, and under the modern methods of farming, sup- 
plying by commercial fertilizers the ingredients lacking 
in the soil, splendid crops of corn, cotton, peas, pota- 
toes, sugar cane and nearly all the semi-tropical fruits 
and vegetables can be grown profitably. 

The climate is propitous, the rainfall throughout 
the pine region averages from 56 to 63 inches per an- 
num; the soil is light and easih' cultivated and does not 
wash badly; the countrj' is well watered with running 
streams and springs and over a large portion of it arte- 
sian wells of purest water are had at a depth ranging 
from 150 to 750 feet. 

These lands from which the timber has been cut 
can now be purchased at from SI. 50 to S5.00 per acre, 
according to locality. The state is now taking steps 
pursuant to an act of the last legislature to establish an 
experimental farm in this region and through it, in a few 
years, all that is herein claimed for it for agricultural 
purposes will be fully demonstrated, and then we may 
confidently expect a great influx of a thrifty white pop- 
ulation of farmers, fruit growers and stock raisers that 
in course of time will make this section a very garden 
of wealth and beauty. 

SUGAR CANE. 

I cannot close this paper without stating some facts 
that are not generally j[known] to the outside.Iworld in 
reference to the production of sugar cane in this section. 
It is easilv cultivated and grows luxuriantlv vinder 



f» ••••••••••*•• ••• 




3 



•a 
o 



«^ 

W - 
a 

H-l 1- 

I— I 'J 



O 

a 
o 



Oh 






34 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



proper culture and contains quite as much saccharine 
as the cane grown in Louisiana. When we consider 
the fact that the American people consume more sugar 
per capita than anj- people in the world and that less 
than one-half of the sugar consumed is raised in this 
countr_v (the balance being imported) it is a singular 
fact that men of ample capital have not undertaken the 
production of sugar on the pine lands of Mississippi. 
Nearly all of the s.vrup consumed in the twent3--five 
counties named is produced b}' the farmers who plant 
'patches' of from one to five acres and grind the cane 
about the first of November on little cast-iron mills and 
operated by a mule, or b^' a pair of mules or ponies, and 



it. As matters now are they only plant enough to sup- 
ply their families and employees with syrup, selling 
whatever excess there may be, in the local market. 

I do not believe the richest land in the '"Yazoo Delta" 
planted in cotton can be made to yield as much profit 
per acre as the poorest pinev woods land will produce 
per acre planted in sugar cane. All that is needed to 
demonstrate this statement is a sugar mill and erected 
at some point in the pine region with adequate railroad 
facilities for carrying the .cane to the mill. It is to be 
hoped that this will be done at no distant day. In fact 
the people of Hattiesburg are discussing the question of 
forming a joint stock company for that purpose. Once 




Episcop.\l Church, tJiLoxi, Miss. 



the juice is evaporated in open pans. By this process 
the yield is 400 to 500 gallons of splendid syrup to the 
acre, and the popular method of putting it up for the 
market is to seal it in gallon jugs, as otherwise a large 
proportion of it will granulate. I think a better method 
would be to put it up in quart bottles as it would be more 
easily and cheaply handled. 

A sugar mill and refinerj- erected at some central 
point with ample railroad facilities and a cheap rate 
per ton, given by the railroads on cane for a period of 
live years and all the small farmers who inhabit this 
section of the state will put in the greater part of their 
lands in sugar cane as there would then be a market for 



the demonstration is made, this whole pine region will 
become one of innumerable sugar plantations which will 
bring population, wealth and thrift. 

If the sugar bounty — the only thing our friends of 
the north have given us since the war that was worth 
keeping, and we were the first to ask to be rid of it — 
had been continued, large areas of this country would 
today be devoted to the production of sugar. But they 
say it was unconstitutional. Perhaps so. I do not 
know. 

But I cannot see the difference in giving to the 
steel manufacturer or the woollen goods manufac- 
turer a bounty, in the shape of a tariff on the goods of 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



his foreign competitor, and gfiving the sugar planter a 
bount_v direct. To me it is the -difference of tweedle 
dum and tweedle dee. 

HEALTH OF THE PI3STE REGION. 

In conclusion I desire to speak of the healthfulness 
of the pine region. Nowhere on the earth can a hardier, 
healthier class of people be found than are the natives 
of the pine region of Mississippi. It is true that in 
some portif>ns there are in the summer and fall malarial 
fevers in light form, but they are largely, if not wholly, 
due to a lack of knowledge of the laws of sanitation. 



in production, under proper culture, those of an}- other 
section of the country, we invite sturdy, industrious 
white men and women from everywhere to come and 
reap wealth, and enjoy health and long life. I say 
white, for this is the white man's country-. We invite 
the manufacturer, the farmer, the mechanic, the teacher, 
the professional man, in fact we invite all classes except 
the political shyster and demagogue. We have no room 
for him: but all others will find a cordial greeting and 
plenty of work in every department of life. 

It is no vain boast to say that we have lived 
through the arduous struggles of the South during the 




Resedexce of W. K. M. Dukate. Biloxi, Miss. 



More people die every year in Chicago and New York 
City of consumption or other lung diseases than die in 
the twenty-five counties of the pine region of Missis- 
sippi of all diseases in a whole decade. As the country 
becomes cleared up, and the drainage improved, and ar- 
tesian wells take the place of the shallow sipe wells, 
and the people become better informed on the laws of 
health, it will be found to be the healthiest country on 
the earth. 

To this beautiful country, with its bright skies., 
and balmy breezes, that is never too cold nor too hot 
for comfort; with its splendid forests of timber and 
beautiful, perennial streams; its cheap lands, surpassing 



past third of a century and participate in these strug- 
gles, to rebuild her waste places, lead her on, and up to 
her wonted position in the commercial ranks of the fore- 
most states in the union, that we rejoice in these clos- 
ing days of the centun,- in the fact that at last we be- 
hold the dav breaking and the light of contentment and 
prosperity shining in upon our beloved southland, and 
soon we shall stand side by side with our sister states 
and keep step with them in the march of progress to 
that imperial destiny which awaits a free and united 
people, guided by the omnipotent hand of the Almighty. 
And in the glow of enthusiasm which some of us feel, 
though the evening shadows of our lives are lengthen- 



36 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



ing day by day, we fain would sing that beautiful song 
first sung by one of our noblest sons: 

Land of the south! imperial land. 

How proud thy mountains rise, 
How sweet th^" scenes on eyery hand. 

How fair thy eyerlasting- skies. 
But not for this, oh not for these, 

I love thy fields to roam, 
Thou hast a dearer spell to me. 

Thou art my native home. 

Thy rivers roll their liquid wealth 

Unequaled to the sea; 
Thy hills and valleys bloom with health 

And green with verdure be. 
But not for thy proud ocean streams. 

Nor for thine azure dome. 
Sweet, sunny south! I cling to thee, 

Thou art my native home. 

Note: Since writing the above I have been in- 
formed by Hemphill Bros. Co., who are the largest deal- 
ers in long leaf pine in the state, if not in the south, 
and who are experts in estimating standing pine tim- 
ber that my es.timate of 4,000 feet per acre is far too low; 
that it should be 7,000 feet. This would be 41,020,000- 
000 feet of standing pine, worth the enormous sum of 
$410,200,000. If we add the growth of the small tim- 
ber, it will take at the present rate of consumption fifty 
years to cut and manufacture it. The cost per acre of 
cutting off and removing this timber, say the Messrs. 
Hemphill, is about S40 per acre, or the round sum of 
$234,400,000. This vast sum would be paid for labor, 
teams and logging roads. 

Note: Since preparing this paper information has 
been received from the Louisville & Nashville railroad, 
showing twenty-three mills on its line with an annual 
output of 1'MI,()(I0,()0() feet. The volume of the fish, oys- 
ters and shrimp shipped from along our gulf coast last 
year was $1,542,000. 



THERE'S MONEY IN TRUCK FARMING. 

With the advantages given by seasons two to four 
weeks earlier than any other section of the South, this 
Gulf Coast presents the best opportunities for truck 
growers that could be desired, and just why the in- 
dustry has not received the attention it deserves is to 
our mind inexplicable. Any variety of fruit or vege- 
table that can be produced elsewhere can be grown to 
perfection here, ami that there is good profits in the 
business is demonstrated by a correspondent of the 
McCorab Enterprise. In a recent communication he 
writes as follows : 

"When truck farming is considered as a competi- 
tive industry it has no rival, and as labor seeks em- 
ployment the trucking business offers more inducements 
than all others. Why take, for instance, a strawberry 
crop of 50 acres ; one acre will yield 150 bushels, or 
4,800 quarts. The price paid for picking is 2'^ cents 
per quart, or $120 per acre. The sum paid for gather- 
ing fifty acres would be $6,000, This one crop gives 



employment for one month to the little children of the 
city, and goes into various avenues of trade. A ten- 
}-ear-old boy can pick fift.y quarts in a day, making $1.25 
per day. Again, take the bean crop of fifty acres, one 
acre will produce 150 bushels, the price for picking is 
25 cents per bushel, or $30 per acre, the cost of picking 
fifty acres would be $1,500, and a good hand can pick 
ten bushels per day. The same may be said of fifty 
acres in garden peas. These three crops are generalh' 
marketed in the month of April. Thus we see during 
the dryest time of the year $9,000 is turned loose 
among the very ones that need it most. Can anj- 
factory beat this? Then comes the month of May, 
when work in the tomato crop of fifty acres — pruning, 
staking and tying — must be done in a hurry, requiring 
about the same amount of labor and money. Then 
comes the busy month of June, in which tomatoes 
must be marketed. One acre of tomatoes produces 250 
bushels ; the price for picking is about 8 cents per 
bushel, or S20 per acre. The hands at the packing 
shed get 1/4 cents per crate for packing; one bushel 
makes three crates, and cost of packing one bushel is 
4/2 cents; cost of packing is 12>2 cents per bushel; 
gathering one acre costs $31. So we see by the time 
the crop is placed at the depot for shipment, crates all 
made here and all labor done, we have about $2,500 
more to scatter among the little folks of the town. 
Now just name one industry that will scatter more 
chink with this class of labor, and we will give it up. 
Now would you think that 200 acres was a big thing? 
The time is coming when one man will have this 
acreage to ship from. We anticipate that in less than 
ten years frorti today there will be 500 acres planted in 
vegetables around McComb. Commission merchants 
throughout the North and West will be begging for our 
products. 

"This is an age of competition. If a stranger 
doubts this, just let him look at the last issue of your 
paper containing two full pages of advertising for two 
merchants. They are wideawake and know a good 
thing when they see it. So if we give plenty of work 
for all industrious labor, competing in prices for it, we 
find contentment as the ruling element of the town. 
None can appreciate these facts fully unless they could 
be at a shipping point during the busy season and see 
the checks passing around through the crowds making 
these long winsome smiles on merchants' faces. All 
this money, coming in at the time it does, serves to 
stimulate trade and gives a fresh, new, vigorous im- 
petus to a city that no other industry can take away. 
Everything in the past teaches us that when a city ex- 
ports more than she imports, that she is growing richer; 
this is true of every city in the Union. Still there 
are some narrow little fellows who don't believe this ; 
even when they pray they are like the fellow that 
thought he had a monopoly of all blessings. He said: 
'Oh Lord, have mercy on me and my wife, my son John 
and his wife, us four and no more. ' This is selfishness 
to a finish. Poor creature, you could draw his signifi- 
cance in a bowl of cold sunshine, " 







m t 
ID = 

^- I 



a: I 









o8 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



PREDICTS GREAT THINGS FOR MISSISSIPPI 
COAST IN TRUCK FARMING. 

Mr. E. C. Joullian, who is one of the leading pack- 
ers of canned goods in Biloxi, is also a practical truck 
grower and predicts great things for the Mississippi 
Coast in this direction. He alread.v grows string beans 
and cans them, together with sweet potatoes, in his own 
factor}', but intends going into truck farming on a 
larger scale for his own benefit. 

"Truck farming in this section pays," said Mr. 
Joullian. " I have demonstrated it mj'self. Any man 
of practical methods and common sense can come here 



lixelihood in crowded sections would do well to move 
on Southward. Living here is easy in a salubrious cli- 
mate, and the wages of $1.25 to $1.50 a day furnishes 
all necessities not supplied by the land or the water. 
Boatmen for the fleets are also needed, and these make 
from $1.50 to $5.00 a day regularly. 

Mr. Joullian has investigated the matter of a 
fertilizing plant carefully, and says that one sufficiently 
capitalized would prove a paying investment. He 
thinks that a capital of at least two millions would be 
required to make fertilizer in sufficient quantities to sup- 
ply the great demand in the Southern States. In Biloxi 
are huge (luantities of unused oyster shells, which form 




Residence of Dk. H. R. Eohn, Biloxi, Miss. 



with a capital of $250 and buy ten acres of land which 
in ten years' time will make him from 810,000 to $20,- 
000. " 

According to Mr. Joullian, there are two things 
badly needed on the (iulf Coast — one a fertilizing factory, 
the other laboring men. The latter are at present largely 
imported b)' the packers. Native labor is not to be 
hired for the oyster shucking business, and Bohemians 
to the number of 1,500 are imported each season by the 
canning factories of Biloxi alone. These, however, are 
nomadic. They always depart at the end of the season, 
and men are wanted who will stay and build themselves 
homes here. The poor white laborer struggling for a 



the basis of fertilizer, and which may be had forpracti- 
cally nothing. The sort made from refuse fish can 
also be manufactured at a good profit. What is known 
as common sardine — in reality the menhaden — is found 
in abundance in the gulf waters, and the oil extracted 
from this fish is quoted in wholesale markets at 35 cents 
per gallon for best grades. The sale of the oil pays for 
the gathering of the sardine for fertilizing purposes 
and thus puts it upon a paying basis. 



There is practicalh- no limit to the profits to be 
gained in South Mississipi in growing formarket lambs, 
cattle, turkeys, chickens, vegetables and small fruit. 



XLbc Soutb flfcississippi Xumbcr Zvdibc. 

.iSrief fmention of the XeaCino Companies ]EnqacjeC> tn the ^anutaeturc of Xono Xeaf IJellow 
IPine Xumber aii& Zltmber, rbe Supplii of wbicb ts ipractlcallj? IFneibaustible in ibts Section. 



But a little more than a decade ajfo the virjj:in for- 
ests of long: leaf pine in South Mississippi were practi" 
cally undisturbed, the bulk of the lumber used here 
coming- from other sections. Today this part of the 
State is dotted with sawmills, dry kilns and planing- 
mills, and is furnishing- both rough and dressed lumber 
and square timber to every quarter of the globe. The 
superiority of yellow pine over everj- other kind of wood 
for many purposes is recog-nized the world over, and 
consequently the demand for the product of the South 
Mississippi mills is steadily increasing with each suc- 
ceeding- 3-ear and new mills are being- placed on every 
hand. To a stranger, a trip over the Gulf & Ship 
Island railroad would reveal to him a miracle in the 
matter of the manufacture of lumber and its preparation 
for market. Hundreds of sawmills are located along 
this line between Gulfport and Jackson, a distance of 
160 miles, and new mills are projected almost daily 
along this line and the country bordering the road. 

The same milling condition exists along that por- 
tion of the New Orleans & Northeastern road in Mis- 
sissippi, some of the largest sawmilling plants in 
America being situated on the last named road. 

The output of the mills now in operation in South 
Mississippi is enormous, and almost equal, if not quite, 
to that of the northern pine woods in the palmiest days 
of milling in that region, the amount of territory con- 
sidered. 

But our sjilendid long leaf pine is not alone in 
merchantable value, for we have as fine cypress and 
other woods as grow upon the face of the earth, embrac- 
ing oak, hickory, gum, etc., all here in abundance. 
Gum especially should attract the attention of hardwood 
mill men. It is almost daily coming into use for new 
purposes, among the latter of which is the manufacture 
of boxes, furniture and other articles which are con- 
stanth' in demand. There are millions upon millions 
of trees of this wood in Mississippi, and South Missis- 
sippi has her full share of that timber. 

Our transportation facilities afford mill men every 
opportunity for marketing- their product in every part of 
the world, something that scarcely any other section of 
the country affords them. 

It is with a pardonable pride that we make brief 
mention of a few of the prominent milling plants in this 
part of the State, as follows : 

THE J. E. NORTH LUMBER COMPANY. 

J. E. North was for a long time a prominent lumber- 
man in the northern woods, and when these practically 
ran out he came south prospecting for an opening here 
and found it at Bond, Miss., where he bought out the 
holdings of the Gulfport Lumber Company in December, 
1898, and organized the present company about January 



1, IH')'). The present enterprise is styled the J. E. 
North Lumber Company and manufactures long leaf 
yellow pine lumber of every description. J. E. North 
is president; R. Fahey, vice president, and S. D. Thayer, 
secretary, treasurer and general manager. Mr. Fahey 
has charge of the railroad and logging end of the busi- 
ness and Mr. Thayer of the manufacturing and financial 
end. The plant is located at Bond on the Gulf & Ship 
Island railroad and consists of a single circular and the 
usual first-class machinery to cut about 150,000 feet a 
day. It is also equipped with dry kilns of sufficient size 
to handle all of its output and a planing mill is being- 
added. The cut is mostly export stock, but as soon as 
the planing- mill is in shape the interior trade will be 
looked after very closel}- and all interior demands can 
be filled at once. 

The company at present owns about 30,000 acres of 
fine yellow pine timber and has a logging road equipped 
with standard gaug-e locomotive and cars to bring in the 
logs that are used at the mill. The concern also has a 
large g-eneral store, the sales of which last year amount- 
ed to $50,000, which is a pretty good business for a saw- 
mill commissary. They have also opened up a fine 
turpentine orchard, which will yield an annual output 
of 100,000 gfallons of spirits and 750,000 pounds of rosin. 

The electric light plant which illumines the mill 
also lights the houses, the streets and stores; so the 
town of Bond is one of the few well-lighted towns in 
Mississippi. 

Mr. North was the organizer of the Gulf & Ship 
Island Lumbermen's Association, composed of nearly all 
of the mill men along the Gulf & Ship Island railroad, 
an organization that has done wonders in bringing the 
mill men in closer touch and harmony than the most 
enthusiastic organizer could have predicted — an organi- 
zation that has revolutionized the method of doing busi- 
ness along- this railroad. Mr. North is president and 
Mr. Thayer, secretary of the association, was one of 
the prime movers in organizing the Gulf & Ship Island 
Lumbermen's Telephone Company, which is a stock 
compan)' of lumbermen who built and own the telephone 
line from Gulfport to Hattiesburg and which will ex- 
tend on to Jackson; the stock is all owned by lumber- 
men and a 'phone has been put in at each mill along- the 
road conveniently connecting all of the mills along the 
Gulf & Ship Island. This is one of the enterprises Mr. 
Thaj'er has inaugurated himself. At present the tele- 
phone company has invested in the enterprise about 
$10,000. Mr. North is president and Mr. Thayer is sec- 
retary and manag-er of the telephone compan}'. 

The North Lumber Company is one of the mills in 
the "all heart" belt and its timber is Al, running large- 
ly to heart and cutting- fine heart stock. You can't find 



40 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALO. 



better yellow pine atiywhere in the south. It cuts up 
to 24x24, 55 feet, heart stock or practically all heart. 
Mr. North is dipping largely into the exporting busi- 
ness, and is general manager of the Manufacturers' 
Export Company of Mobile., where he resides. The 
Export Company is a stock company composed of the J. 
E. North Lumber Company of Bond, Miss., the Bay 
City Lumber Company and the Baird Lumber Compan3' 
of Mobile, Ala., and does a large export business from 
all of the gulf ports. They export the output of a large 
portion of the mills along the Gulf & Ship Island rail- 
way. 



40,000 feet of flooring, ceiling and general dressed stock, 
and is equipped with three Hoyt flooring machines and 
one Hoyt timber dressing machine, to dress timbers from 
2x4 to 16x16. The power plant of the planing mill is a 
150-horse power boiler and Corliss engine 20x24. The 
company operates six miles of railroad equipped with 
Baldwin 30-ton engines and cars sufficient to supply the 
logs for the mill. The concern owns about 60,000 acres 
of yellow pine timber. This district produces an extra- 
ordinary amount of heart pine; in fact, nearly all of 
this timber is of extra quality of heart, being anunusual 
and important feature in the run of a body of timber. 




Ri,siL,ENCE OF Hon. W.\lter A. White, Biloxi, Mi; 



TEN MILE LUMBER COMPANY. 
One of the prominent mills located on the Gulf & 
Ship Island is the Ten Mile Lumber Company, at Ten 
Mile, Miss., post oflice address Perkinston. This mill 
cuts about 75,000 feet daily, of which about 50 per cent 
is for export and the balance for the interior trade. The 
stock consists of flooring, car, bridge and general build- 
ing material. The plant consists of a single circular 
with a gang and rip mill connected. The power plant 
consists of a battery of five boilers of 600-horse power, 
with two engines, one 24x30 and one 16x20, both Corliss. 
There are two dry houses 21x110 feet and with a capacity 
of 30,000 feet, made by the Globe Dry Kiln Company. 
The concern also has a planing mill with a capacity of 



This company is constantly prepared to produce heavy 
pine timbers to the length of 70 feet, to square up to 
16xl(). 

All of the men employed at the mill are of the best 
class and practical, and no men are employed who do not 
know their business. Price cuts no figure in obtaining 
employees; it is excellence that is aimed at. The super- 
intendent, J. M. Frost, has been with the owners of this 
concern for seventeen years. The saw filer, O. F. John- 
son, learned his trade in one of the largest saw factories 
in the country and is conceded to be one of the best saw 
filers in the south. 

The company was organized in February, 1899, and 
consists of J. R. Pratt, George R. Burton and J. R. Hill. 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



41 



Messrs. Pratt and Burton are the resident partners and 
have active charge of the business, Mr. Pratt looking 
after the office end and Mr. Burton handling- the outside 
work. Both men are of long experience and are 
thoroughly capable and hustlers. They are both as 
fine gentlemen socially as one could meet in a day's 
travel. Mr. Pratt and Mr. Hill will be remembered as 
members of the Holcomb-Pratt Lumber Compan)', for- 
merly of Calera, Ala., where they operated for eighteen 
years. 

The visitor to the plant will find Mr. Pratt in 
his office and will find a typical gentleman of the 
South. That is, he will talk business if you please, 



corporated under the laws of the State of Mississipi i, 
with a capital stock of S50,000 paid in full. J. H. Gary 
is the president and F. W. Fatherree the secretary and 
general manager. 

This company have large saw mill interests which 
they are constantly improving. Their mills at Wiggins 
have just recently been rebuilt and equipped through- 
out with modern machinery, which makes the capacity 
of their two mills at "Wiggins, Miss., about 80,000 feet 
a day of all kinds of stock. Mr. Gary is located at Wig- 
gins, and letters for this end of the firm's business 
should be addressed to the Niles City Lumber Company 
at that point. 




Resiuknce ok J. C. Bkadfokd, Biloxi, Miss. 



or, if you would rather, he will sit down and entertain 
his visitor and then talk business. And when you give 
your order he will see that you get what you want. 



GARY-FATHERREE LUMBER COMPANY. 

The headquarters of the Gary-Fatherree company 
are domiciled at Perry, Miss., twentyfive miles north 
of Gulfport on the line of the Gulf & Ship Island rail- 
road, their postolfice being McHenrv, Miss. This 
company is the outgrowth of the old firm of Gary & 
Fatherree, which expired February (>, 1901, when the 
Gary-Fatherree Lumber Company was organized and in- 



They have recently increased the capacity of the 
mill at Perry to about 50,000 feet per day, or double its 
former capacity. This mill is also equipped through- 
out with modern machinery. The two steam dry kilns 
here have a capacity of 20,000. Here the company owns 
its own log road, which is being extended into their 
timber holdings, amounting to some fifty or sixty mil- 
lion feet. They have already about five miles of their 
road in operation, which is standard gauge and equip- 
ped with engine and cars. They have also added two 
large boilers, a large engine and a planing mill to their 
Perry plant. Mr. F. W. Fatherree, the secretary and 
Sifeneral manager, has charge of this end of the com- 



42 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



l);iny's business. Their dry kilns at Wijrjjins have a 
combined capacity of 35,000 feet. They cut mostly ex- 
port stuff at these mills, using the balance that will 
work up to advantage to make stock for the interior 
trade. About 75 per cent of the product of these mills 
is exported. 

The company operates general stores, both at Perry 
and at Wiggins, and while it is the same company each 
is apparently independent of the other. 

They have large timber holdings between Black 
Creek and Red Creek, where the timber is exceptionally 
fine. Their timber holdings consist of about 30,000 
acres, and of that class which makes the best heart 
material. 



for transporting lumber to ship side at Horn Island, 
Middle Fleet and Ship Island. The company does a 
large business, shipping to European points, South 
America, Cuba and coastwise to Boston, New York and 
Philadelphia. 

Mr. J. W. Griffin is a native of Perry county. Miss., 
and has been in the log and lumber business from boy- 
hood, and is thoroughly acquainted with its every detail. 

Mr. H. C. Herring, the vice president, is a native of 
Beaumont, Texas, and has been engaged in the lumber 
business for the past ten years. Being a man of quick 
and practical business discernment he is abreast as to 
lumber details with men who have followed the avoca- 
tion for thirty or forty years. 




RlCilDKNCE OF W.M. RuDOLF, ON THE BeACH. Bii.OXI, MiSS. 



No more enterprising lumber firm in South Missis- 
sii>i i than the Gary-Fatherrec Lumber Company, and it 
would require more space than we can spare to give a 
comi)lete history of this company. 



MOSS POINT LUMBER COMPANY. 

The Moss Point Lumber Company, located at Moss 
Point, Miss., was established in 1885 as Howze & Grif- 
fin and incorporated in IS'il as the Moss Point Lumber 
Conijiany, the ])resent officers being, J. W. Griffin, presi- 
dent and treasurer, and H. C. Herring, vice president 
and secretary. The company erected a new mill the 
first of this year with a capacity of 75,000 feet per day, 
operates a planer and drj' kiln, and owns its own barges 



Among the lumber firms of South Mississippi none 
are more reliable or substantial than is the Moss Point 
Lumber Company, as evinced by the large export and 
coastwise business it enjoys. They have no "old goods 
on their shelves," so to speak, for the demand for their 
product is unlimited. Wherever skilled labor is re- 
quired they employ none but the best men obtainable, 
and in no position are any but competent men employed. 



Twenty years ago the railroad mileage of the South 
consisted of short, disconnected lines, and usually badly 
equipped. The mileage has increased from 20,612 miles 
to 53,000 miles. In the same length of time cotton pro- 
duction has gone from 5,755,000 bales to over 10,000,000. 



/Ilbi66i66i|?pi (5ulf Coast Counties 

Ubc Counties ot MancocI?, Marrisou anC> Jacftson, wIMcb 36orC»er on tbe /IDtssissippt Soun^. 



Only three counties — Hancock, Harrison and Jack- 
son — of Mississippi border on Mississippi Sound, form- 
ing- a part of what is usuallj- termed the northern shore 
of the Gulf of Mexico. These counties are densely, in 
the main, timbered with the choicest of woods, the 
habitation and towns being- chiefly along that great 
artery of steel, the Louisville & Nashville railroad, 
which hugs the coast proper from New Orleans to Mobile. 

Harrison, in which Biloxi is situated, is practically 
a long leaf yellow pine county, whilst the species in 
Hancock and Jackson are entirely different. All of the 
coast counties have large tracts of cypress, live and 
water oaks, ash, hickory, beech, magnolia, poplar, syc- 
amore, tupelo gum, juniper, etc., woods suitable for the 
manufacture of every class of woodwork utilized by 
man, and it will require years to exhaust the supply. 
The greatest variety of these woods abound in Hancock 
and Jackson, while Harrison, sandwiched between the 
first two named, has her full share of the different va- 
rieties of timber. 

At a glance the practical wood manufacturer will 
realize that there is no better opening for industries of 
his class than is offered by the Mississippi Gulf Coast 
counties, and those anticipating a change of location 
will find it to their advantage to make a personal investi- 
gation of the conditions here existing. In addition to 
our excellent woods, thej' will find common labor cheap 
and easily secured. Add to these the cheapness of 
living and our salubrious climate and you have the 
manufacturer's Eden. 

But the field is not alone suitable for manufacturing 
industries. In these three coast counties will be found 
the finest stock raising country on the earth, and the 
cheapness of land places it within the reach of men of 
moderate means to engage in stock raising on an ex- 
tensive scale. No northern winters to contend with, 
but fine pasturage all the year, the care of stock here is 
a matter of not much moment, many beeves being 
slaughtered that have never tasted corn — and such 
beeves are in the finest condition. 

Still highly adapted for another industry — that of 
sheep raising and wool clipping — our pine forest lands 
are unequalled for the raising of sheep, affording them 
ample pasturage for good sustenance the entire year, 
there not being the least impediment save the worthless 
dog, and the shotgun is a most effective panacea for 
that ill. Hundreds of thousands of pounds of wool are 
now marketed each year in these three counties, but the 
territory is equal to ten times the amount of wool now 
produced. 

No better place is open anywhere for the location of 
a first-class poultry farm than at Biloxi. Situated 
eighty miles from New Orleans and sixty from Mobile, 



with an excellent home market, there is no business that 
would give quicker or more profitable returns than 
would the raising of poultr)- for market. However, it 
would be almost useless to engage in the industry unless 
thoroughh- prepared to carr^- it to a successful end in 
its minutest detail — from the time the young chick 
leaves its original casing until it is put upon the market. 

The lands of all three counties are highly adapted 
for truck farming and the advantage of transportation 
would materially enhance the profit of the truck farmer. 

Fig cultivation and the culture of pecans are two 
more industries of great profit to those who engage in 
them, as both find ready sale at remunerative prices. 
The former to our canning factories and the latter to 
fruit dealers everywhere. 

We might continue this article indefinitely without 
making a mistatement, but the foregoing will suffice to 
partially show the reader the true condition existing in 
Hancock, Harrison and Jackson counties at the begin- 
ning of the twentieth century. 



OIL ON THE GULF COAST. 

According to Professor Robert T. Hill, of the 
United States Geological Survey, there is oil all along 
the coast plains of the Gulf of Mexico, including the 
Mississippi Sound. All that belt of country along the 
sound, east of New Orleans and extending as far as 
Mobile, being of a sandy character, should, he thinks, 
contain oil, though possibly no such gushers have been 
found at Beaumont. The general geological formation 
is the same here as at Beaumont. It extends from the 
Rio Grande through Texas along the coast as far as 
Mobile, thence north part way up the west side of the 
State of Alabama, where oil is known to exist. These 
facts are exciting the residents of the Mississippi 
border not a little, and already companies are forming 
with the intention of testing that section thoroughly. 
In Professor Hill's opinion the Southwest is bound to 
yield more petroleum than all the oil-producing sections 
of the world. If this is true it will give an impetus to 
manufacturing in that part of the country that cannot 
now be conceived, and it will, for all time, solve the 
problem of fuel, which has operated so greatly in the 
past against developing the industrial conditions of the 
Southwest. Oil in paying (juantities should be found 
as far west as Tampico, Mexico, says Professor Hill, 
as the surface indications are similar to those that 
obtain in Southeastern Texas. At any rate, while the 
greatest activity is now confined to Beaumont, all the 
land bordering on the coast, and many miles from the 
storm center itself, is being acquired or options on it 
secured by the oil syndicates. 



44 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



flilissiesippi (Toast Ilovvns. 



Mississippi Cit.y, the capital of Harrison count.y, is 
practical!}' a residence hamlet, there being little busi- 
ness transacted there outside of the legal business of the 
county. It is veritably a "garden of ease, " where one 
can enjoy contentment if he only owns the "vine and fig 
tree " beneath which to find solace in meditation. As 
with man, so freciuently with towns, the old have to 
step aside and make room for the young and progressive, 
and in Mississippi City we find a striking example of 
this. Once a leading point and attractive resort on the 



ning factory, a few smaller industries, beautiful shelled 
roads, a number of mercantile houses, large hotels and 
a newspaper, the Beacon, edited by Mr. Emile Adam. 

Just across the ba}' from Pass Christian stands 
Ba3' St. Louis, the county seat of Hancock county. 
The "Bay," as it is commonly called, is the subur- 
ban residence place of a large number of New Orleans 
business men, the Louisville & Nashville railroad afford- 
ing them ample facilitiesfortransactingbusiness during 
the day and of being at home with their families at 
night. 

Waveland is also practically a suburb of New Or- 
leans, many of her residents being business men of that 
city. 




Residence of L. Lopez, Sk., Biloxi, Miss. 



coast she has had to give away to her younger and 
more progressive sisters, and content herself with that 
life that comes to the aged. 

Handsboro is situated on Bayou Bernard, one mile 
northeast of Mississippi City, and is something of a 
lumber town. Her population is about 1,000, and she 
has good school and church advantages. 

Long Beach is the first place toward New Orleans 
from Gulfport, and is situated in a fine truck farming 
region — such as abounds along the entire coast. Her 
people are thrift}' and their religious and educational 
needs are well supplied. 

Pass Christian is located on the western border of 
Harrison count}-, has fine churches and schools, a can- 



MOSS POINT, MISS. 

At the confluence of Dog and the"^Escatawpa or 
Pascagoula rivers, stands Moss Point, four miles from 
Scranton by rail. This is one of the greatest lumber 
manufacturing points in the South. Here you find the 
large plant of the Dantzler Lumber Company, the Moss 
Point Lumber Company and several other saw milling 
industries — having large dry kilns and planers in con- 
nection with the most if not all of them. Here large 
schooners land at the mill wharves and the lumber for 
export and coastwise points is loaded direct into the 
vessels. Much of the product of the mills at this place 
finds lodgment in South America, Mexico and other 
countries, while no small amount is shipped to points 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



45 



coastwise. The mills draw largely upon the forests of 
Perr}', Wayne and Greene, as well as from Harrison and 
Jackson counties, for the logs necessary to keep their 
respective plants in motion. Besides sawn timber and 
lumber, the firms here are extensive handlers of hewn 
timber, both for export and domestic purposes. 

Moss Point has a branch of the Scranton State 
Bank, over which that thorough business man and 
genial good fellow, Mr. J. W. Stewart, presides. The 
Merchant and Marine Bank, of Scranton, also has a 
branch located here. When the large lumber interests 
of Moss Point are considered, the necessity for the 
branches, only four miles distant from the parent banks, 
will be readily understood. 

Quite a number of mercantile firms are found here, 
embracing general merchandise, furniture and drug 
stores. Excellent school and church facilities also add 
attraction to the stranger, while furnishing light and 
knowledge for the rising generation and solace and con- 
solation for the mature inhabitants. 

There is not the least "spread eagle" about Moss 
Point, but she is one of the most solid towns financially 
on the Mississippi coast. 



of the cohesive necessary to build a city. Few, ver}' 
few indeed, of idle men are ever found upon her streets, 
which is a sure indication that the citizenship of 
Scranton is of a high grade. Her jieople are courteous 
and hospitable and always try to make the stranger feel 
that it is "good to be there. " 



SCRANTON, MISS. 

The chief town in Jackson county is Scranton, the 
count}- capital, which has a population of about 3,000 
souls. It is situated on the Pascagoula river and the 
Louisville & Nashville railroad, and is about one mile 
distant from the beach. Scranton, Moss Point and 
Pascagoula form the Port of Pascagoula, which does a 
large business in the way of exporting timber and lum- 
ber. 

Scranton has shipyards, saw mills, machine shop 
and foundry, and a fine system of waterworks and 
electric lights owned by the municipality. In re- 
ligious and educational matters her wants are well sup- 
plied, having commodious churches and an excellent 
public school system. She has two banks and two 
newspapers — the Democrat-Star and the Chronicle. 
The former paper is presided over by that veteran editor, 
Capt. P. K. Mayers, and the Chronicle by that brilliant 
and versatile young journalist, Mr. Jules S. Tomasich. 

The business houses of Scranton are up-to-date, 
some of them being worthy of cities many times her 
size, and the stocks of goods carried b)- her merchants 
are fresh and of the latest designs and patterns. Her 
streets are wide and well macadamized with shells, be- 
sides whieh she has a beautiful shell road leading to 
the beach, making one of the most beautiful and pleas- 
ant driveways on the coast. 

Both the medical and legal professions have able 
representation, and the laity have no room for com- 
plaint when in the need of the services of either. 

The Odd Fellows' opera house affords a place where 
amusement lovers are frequently entertained by some 
fine theatrical and other productions. 

Her people are progressive and possess considerably 



GULFPORT, MISS. 

Eight years ago Gulfport was nothing more than a 
hamlet on the line of the Louisville & Nashville rail- 
road with a few miles of the track of the Gulf & Ship 
Island railroad extending to the northward, but those 
few miles scarce worthy of notice from a commercial 
point of view. Today she is a beautiful city of some 
3,000 inhabitants, five hotels, excellent mercantile 
houses, five schools, splendid churches, electric light 
plant, water works, mills, railroad shops, two news- 
papers — Record and News — and many other features 
which are necessary to make a city. 

What caused this great transformation in so short 
a space of time the reader will naturally inquire. The 
main artery- which infused new life into the then meagre 
village was the extension of the Gulf & Ship Island 
railroad to Hattiesburg, Miss., which was naturalb' as- 
sisted b)- the pluck and energ}' of citizens of the place 
who never lost faith that a great future awaited their 
town. Reaching Hattiesburg the Gulf & Ship Island 
called a long and oppressive halt, but hope remained 
buoyant and undaunted in the breasts of the citizens of 
Gulfport. They looked beyond, and in the dim, un- 
certain future saw and realized that the day must 
come when Gulfport would expand into a beautiful city 
and become an important commercial point. How far 
off was that day none could tell, but all felt that their 
hope was not an idle dream nor their faith the echo of 
disappointment. No matter how sombre the clouds of 
distrust that were lowered above them, they never 
slacked the pace of advancement and "left no stone 
unturned" beneath which there might lie a betterment 
for Gulfport. 

'Tis said that "every cloud has its silver lining, " 
but the, darkest that ever lowered above Gulfport had 
also "a golden center. " but when that cloud would pass 
awa}' and leave only its " silver lining" and "golden 
center" to be their star by day and pillar of fire by 
night none could tell. 

But the dawn broke upon their vision at last, with, 
to them, a horizon as beautiful as the sun ascending the 
Alpian craigs, and activity' took on new life when it 
was announced that the Gulf & Ship Island railroad 
would be extended to Jackson, the State capital. That 
there were doubting Thomases and malcontents suffi- 
cient to decry the statement that the road would be built 
toJackson does not bear of questioning, but the bone and 
sinew of the citv had the faith, and by that faith they 
increased their work toward the upbuilding of their 
town, and Gulfport soon stood out before the world 
reinvig'orated ^nd rehabilitated as it were. Shanties of 




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THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



47 



the railroad building- period gave way to handsome and 
artistic mansions and cottages, beautiful and sub- 
stantial business houses displaced the "shacks" and 
warehouse-like structures, and Gulfport smiled upon 
the world like a maiden with her first long dress and 
a bashful beau. Her modesty, however, was but 
momentary, for she was quick to realize that for her 
good fortune to be permanent she must improve the 
shining hours, and the earnestness with which she 
went to work to gather new laurels with which to deck 
her youthful brow is commendable in the extreme. 

One of her most prominent and useful laurels is the 
Bank of Gulfport, one of the soundest financial insti- 
tutions in the State. Another, her canning factory, 
capitalized at $50,000. 

Just as we are about to go to press information 
comes from Washington that the application for the 
First National Bank of Gulfport has been gr;inted by 
the Comptroller of the Currency. This liank will have 
a capital of 325,000, all paid up, and expects to begin 
business before the publication of this book is complete. 
The organization of this bank was started by Messrs. 
John Carraway and Charles Isom of Biloxi, Mississippi. 
From the record made b.v the Bank of Biloxi, of which 
institution these gentlemen are cashier and assistant 
cashier respectively, it is an understood fact that the 
new institution will be one of the strongest and best 
managed in South Mississippi. It will bo the only 
National Bank on the Mississippi Coast. 

The opening of the Gulf & Ship Island to Jackson 
not only gave Gulfport a most desirable outlet to the 
North, but it opened up one of the finest timber belts 
in the South, and saw and planing mills springing up 
Phenix-like along the line of the road assured her a 
largeh" increased and lucrative timber business, to which 
the branch roads of that line add materially. 

The dredging of a deep-water channel to Ship 
Island harbor, however, is the main feature of her en- 
terprising spirit, and there is no question but what her 
timber and lumber exports will be enormous so long as 
the accessible virgin forests of pine yield to the de- 
mand being made upon them. 

Various industries will, of course, follow, but of 
what kind and character is beyond the ken of man. 
However, ever}- reasonable inducement will be thrown 
out to capitalists to locate their industries at Gulfport, 
for upon securing manufactories depends the life of 
almost every city and town in the South. They can 
exist, but to live and prosper they must have manufactur- 
ing industries. Gulfport views the situation in this 
light, and she will do all in her power to secure such 
industries. 

In hotel accommodations she is well supplied, hav- 
ing three hostelries, to say nothing of her many private 
boarding houses. 

In religious and educational advantages she is in 
advance of many towns of a like population, having a 
Baptist, Presbyterian, Catholic and a Methodist church, 
the two first at present worshiping in the same edifice. 



Her school building is up-to-date in fixtures and heat- 
ing and ventilating apparatus. The Baptists have- but 
recently established a Chautauqua, its first meeting 
being a success from start to finish. 

Like all of the coast land, that in proximity to 
Gulfport is excellent for truck farming, if ]iroperly 
prepared and cultivated, but is unsuitable for heavy 
farming. Also, like all of the artesian water on the 
coast, that at Gulfport is of a fine quality. 

In common with her people The Herald hopes for 
and predicts a bright future for Gulfport. With two 
splendid outlets to the North, the Gulf & Ship Island to 
Jackson, and that great trunk line, the Louisville & 
Nashville railroad, she occupies a commanding position 
on the coast, and will naturally attract the attention of 
investors. Already she is attracting summer and winter 
visitors, and as she grows so will grow the number of 
her visitors and tourists. She enjoys the same healthful 
conditions which obtain all along the Mississippi (rulf 
Coast, and the stranger always finds a hearty welcome 
within her gates. 



OCEAN SPRINGS, MISS. 

The beautiful little city of Ocean Springs is located 
just across Back Bay of Biloxi, to the East of this city, 
on the western border of Jackson county, and is practi- 
cally a summer and winter resort. Like here in Biloxi, 
a great many persons in season find refuge from the 
frigid winters at the North by seeking refuge in the 
balmy clime of the coast at Ocean Springs. This 
place, perhaps, has the best natural drainage of any 
town on the coast, while her multiplicity of fresh-water 
springs are an attraction that no other coast town can 
offer. The waters of some of these springs have been 
subjected to analysis, and we will be pardoned for here 
reproducing a letter on this subject furnished by Dr. E. 
R. Bragg, by request, on the "Healthfulness of the 
Coast" for the "Columbian Edition of the Herald" in 
1S'».>. At the time the letter was written Dr. Bragg was 
a resident of Ocean Springs, but has since removed to 
this city. Here is Dr. Bragg's letter : 

Ocean Springs, Miss., June 15, 189.^. 
Editor Biloxi Herald: 

Dear Sir — The space limitation accompanying 
your request for an article on "The Health of the Mis- 
sissippi Gulf Coast, " for your special "Columbian Edi- 
tion of the Biloxi Herald. " forbids more than a con- 
densed statement of the principal facts. 

The health of this Mississippi Coast throughout 
the entire 5'ear is universally admitted by health and 
jileasure tourists, as well as by our own citizens. 

The elevated water front, high, undulating back 
country, covered with forests of yellow pine, the flood- 
ing once in every twenty-four hours of all low land and 
marshes with salt water, the prevailing "gulf winds" 
alternating with land breezes, the mineral properties of 
artesian and spring waters, etc., etc., combine health 
conditions unsurpassed, if equalled, elsewhere. The 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 49 

water from the public sprinjr in Ocean Riirin.afs, analyzed of the Coast — Harrison county, we mean — if those of 

by J. L. Smith, one pint contains: our people owninj^f small places a few acres in extent, 

OKAINS. would no into the business of truck farminjjf in the earlv 

Chloride of potassium trace ■ ^^.^ ^^-^^^^^^ -^ ,^^^^ admirably adapted for the 

Chloride of sodinm :>.9/l . . . , , . - . ' 

Chloride of calcium 0.485 raisin.tr of early vejjetables of every kind, and with a 

Chloride of majrnesium 0.621 little fertilization the soil could be brought up to a 

Protoxide of iron 0.589 state of tilth that would make truck farminj,' both easy 

Iodine, alumina, of each trace ^nd profitable. About Bav St. Louis and Waveland 

GASES — CUBIC INCHES. this industry has long- since passed the experimental 

Carbonic acid 1.22 stajje, and the truckers there have made immense sums 

Sulphuretted hydrogen O.K. out of the business for several years past. Not only 

THERAPEUTIC PROPERTIES. this, but they will next season embark in it upon a 

This water is a mild saline-chalybeate, containing larger scale, and will find a full demand for everything 

also sulphuretted hydrogen. This rather unusual com- they can produce, in the Northern and Western markets 

binations renders it effective in the treatment of persist- to which thev have been accustomed to shipping their 

ent skin and scrofulous diseases. The artesian water , -kt •,, ^i o i^r i i • i ii 

, .-4. ( ,■ 1,1 • 1 1 . produce. Neither the Eav nor Waveland is better con- 
contains a less quantity of sodium chloride and a greater ^. 

quantity of sulphurretted hydrogen gas. ditioned, better e.iuipped by nature, or has any other 
Malarial and typhoid fevers are very rare. Diseases superior ad\antages over our immediate secticm for the 
of the respiratory organs, scrofula, and most chronic growing of truck, and the only element that has con- 
diseases are greatly benetited, if not entirely cured, tributed to the success of their people in the premises is 
Those suffering from catarrh may confidently expect a . , ^ ,-,,,• , ,• .■ • ., , .■ 

it; .i:.„ t 1 -1 i 'i i- • " 1 industry and iilte igent c irection m the planting and 

sure cure in this climate, whilst hav fever is unknown. - '^ i ».. « • 

Those reduced in vitality by disease of long standing cultivation ot the vegetable cro|)s produced in their 

should come to this coast during the early summer in vicinty. The denizens of Harrison county could do the 

order to get a good start on the road to health during same if they so willed it, and it surely would inure 

the baithing season. Those who have been afflicted largely to their prolit to do so. Last season the Bav- 

for years should not expect to be cured in this or any -,„ ," , ,. ,, ,,,,,„„, ,, r ,• i ^ .," 

other climate during two or three months stay, or be Waveland section sold o40,()00 worth of radishes to the 

much benelitted by coming in the winter, so enfeebled Western markets alone, to say nothing of the early 

as to be barely able to walk. vegetaldes of other kinds that they shipped, and even 

For yearly death statistics, and verification of the then the demand was much greater than the supply, 

claims of this <:o^f Jot healthlulness, reference may ^j^j^ ^.,^,jj^,„ ^,t South Mississippi can get its truck into 

be had to the United States census reports, group 1, of , , . , ta, ■ , . , 

Mississippi. These statistics, including the three coast ^^^ markets ]ust as early as P lorida, Georgia or any 

countses of Hancock, Harrison and Jackson, give yearly other portion of the Cxulf Coast tier of States, and there 

death rate at 171, or less than eight to each thousand is no possibilitx whatever of more vegetables being 

population. This includes the less healthful sections, produced in all of them than the markets of the less 

also the negro and mixed population, among whom the j^^.^^^^j sections of the country will eagerly take up and 

greatest mortality occurs. _ ^^ , ■ , " . . ^ 

By timely and judicious action tens of thousands ^^onsume. The Herald hopes to see the citizens of 

who die yearly in the Lake States and in the West, Harrison county, on the Back Bay as well as along the 

from diseases incident to that climate, would have front, try truck gardening as an experiment, and is 

health restored and life prolonged on this coast. ..^ite sure it will be found profitable. The railroad 

' ^ ■ ■ company will furnish all necessary facilities for trans- 

Dr. Bragg is one of the leading physicians of the portation, just as it is doing for the Bay-Waveland 

State, and what he says can absolutely be relied upon people, and there will be no trouble in getting agents 

as fact, presenting a condition of healthfulness that but from reliable commission houses in the North and West 

few, if any, of these United States can ecjual. to come here and arrange for taking, at good prices, all 

Ocean Springs is also possessed of a number of pros- the stulT that can be produced. This is a mire of 

perous business houses, and for the past few years has wealth at the command of our agriculturalists, amateur 

had the distinction of being the greatest wool market and otherwise, and they should not fail to grasp an 

in this section of the South. opportunity that is making other sections of our 

No more hospitable or generous people can be found favored Coast rich. 

anywhere than reside here, and her church and school 

facilities are first class. 

Ocean Springs also extends a liberal support to the 

■o „ t 11*11- 1 J 1 It is in the South that nature has poured out with 

Progress, a most excellent local journal, presided over ' 

by Mr. A. E. Lee, which is a high mark of herapprecia- P^digal profusion her richest treasures of climate, soil 

tion and progressiveness. """"^ "^^ive products. All that is needed to con\-ert 

them into marketable wealth is to develop them. For 

this, capital, energy and enterprise are needed. Those 

TRUCK FARMING IN HARRISON COUNTY. ^ho will bring these requisites will have the greatest 

The Herald would be more than pleased, and thinks opportunities the country can offer to grow rich and 

it would redound largely to the interest of this section prosperous. 



JBueinees ati6 lp)rofe66ional flRcn 

Biogrpabical Sl;ctcbc5 of XcaMno Citizens IPromineut in the •Clpbuil&ma of iGilori, miss. 



HON. WALTER A. WHITE. 

The g:entleman named above, who is one of the 
State's most prominent citizens, was born near Steen's 
Creek, Rankin county. Miss., December 1, 1854. His 
wife was Miss Cora Enochs. The issue of their union 
was eight children, six of whom are living and two 
dead. The living are: Cora, Lula, Laura, Nell, 
Walter and John, the dead being Harry and an infant 
bo3'. Mr. White is a member of all the Masonic orders, 
Knights of Pythias, Woodmen of the World, Knights 
of Honor and the Elks. By profession he is a lawyer 
and at the present time is district attorney of this (the 



HON. EVON M. BARBER. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Choctaw 
county, Ala., on February 28, 1860. He married Miss 
Estelle Thornton, of St. Louis, and they have but one 
living child, Evon M. Jr.. He is a Mason, an Odd 
Fellow, a member of the Knights of Pythias, Woodmen 
of the World, and of the Knights and Ladies of Honor. 
He was educated at Mississippi College, at Clinton, Miss., 
leaving that school in 1881. In 1889 he entered the 
University of Mississippi, at Oxford, taking a law course, 
and graduated from that institution by completing a 
two vears' course in three months and four davs. After 




HON. WAI.TEK A. WHITE. 

Si.\th I district, being elected by an overwhelming 
majority. He was county treasurer and deputy chan- 
cery clerk of Rankin county. While a resident of Bran- 
don he studied law and formed a copartnership with 
Colonel H. S. Cole, of that place, under the firm name 
of Cole & White, which continued until his removal to 
Biloxi. Since his removal to this city he was elected 
to represent Harrison county in the lower house of the 
legislature, which position he resigned to accept the 
appointment to the vacancy' in the district attorneyship 
caused by the resignation of Hon. James H. Neville, 
now judge of this district. Mr. White i5 one of the 
substantial men of the city and county, and his circle 
of friends extends throughout the entire State. Posi- 
tive in his convictions and kind in his disposition, he 
draws your friendship to him with a magnetism that is 
irresistible. 




i/' 




HON. EVON M. BARBER. 

his graduation he located at Port Gibson to practice his 
profession. Ten days after he graduated he was elected 
to represent Claiborne county- in the lower house of the 
legislature. In 1892 he was appointed by Governor 
Stone to represent Mississippi in the Nicaragua national 
convention, which met in New Orleans in November of 
that 3'ear. In 1893 Governor Stone appointed him as 
one of the trustees of the Alcorn Agricultural and 
Mechanical College. From Port Gibson he removed to 
Biloxi in 1895, and at once entered upon the practice of 
his profession, which he has successfully followed up to 
this date. 



THEODORE PAUL DULION 

Mr. Dulion was born in Biloxi, October 25, 1861. 
To him and his wife, Amy H. Dulion, five children — 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



51 



Ura, Roy, Eay, Barton and Paul— were born. Mr. 
Dulion is a member of the Masons, Kniffhts of Honor 
and the Elks. He is engaged in a general merchandise 
business, being the head of the firm of T. P. Dulion. & 
Co. As a business man he has no superior, being ijuick 
ta discern the advantages the markets afford and as 
i|uick to give his customers the benefit of those advant- 
ages. No city in Mississippi has a finer or better ap- 
portioned business house than the one owned and occu- 
pied by his firm, and to Mr. Dulion's idea of what a 
business house should be belongs the credit. In all 
matters of public improvement he stands at fore front 
with his funds and influence, and has proven he was for 
progress and the upliuilding of Biloxi whenever oppor- 
tunity presented itself. He has always been an honest 
worker in whatever he believed to be for the betterment 
of his native city, and his good work on that line will 



social realm than he. A man of bright natural intel- 
lectual endowments, he improved the shining hour and 
builded upon nature's gift an educational structure 
which won for him the high and honorable station he 
occupies. Kind, courteous and fraternal, Mr. Carrawaj' 
is a model that any young man may well pattern after 
who wishes the confidence of the public and desires to 
occupy a position of honor in the eyes of his fellowmen. 



EDWARD GLENNAN. 

Mr. Glennan was born in New Orleans, La., Janu- 
ary 27, 1853. His wife's maiden name was Mar}- A. 
Colbet, and to them five children were born — Francis, 
Violet, Ethel. Roy and Althea. He is a member of the 
American Legion of Honor and the Firemen. He is a 
successful merchant, having been in business for himself 




JOHN C.\KRAWAV. 

stand as a monument to his honor long after he shall be 
called to his reward. 



JOHN CARRAWAY. 

The young gentleman whose name appears above 
was born at Jackson, Miss., July 16, 1873. His wife 
was Miss Mae Litel, of Albany, Wis., Mr. Carraway 
forming her acijuaintance while she and her father were 
spending the winter her to avoid the rigorous weather 
of Wisconsin. Mr. Carraway is a Mason, an Elk, Odd 
Fellow, Woodman of the World, a D. K. E. and an 
Essene. He occupies with distinction the important 
position of cashier of the Bank of Biloxi. He was 
educated at the State University at Oxford, Miss. In- 
stances where young men have attained so rapidh' the 
confidence of the financial world as has Mr. Carraway 
are rare, and no one stands higher in the esteem of the 




EDWARD (II.KNNAX. 

since 1880. He filled the office of city treasurer four 
terms of two years each, alderman at large one term, 
is now alderman from the Second ward. He has been 
president and foreman of the Volunteer Fire Company 
since their organization here in 1883. and is the present 
foreman. He is vice president of the Peoples Bank and 
president of the Biloxi Electric Light Company. He 
He also at one time filled the position of chief engineer 
of the fire department. In public affairs he has always 
been active, and has steadily worked for the upbuilding 
of Biloxi. 



WILLIAM GORENFLO. 

Mr. Gorenflo was born in Bay St. Louis, Miss., on 
the 5th day of June, 1844. His wife was Miss Theresa 
Llado, and six children — Frank, Willie, Dan, Alyne, 
Ernestine and Nora — blessed their union. Mr. Gorenflo 



52 



THE BILOXl DAILY HERALD. 



is a iiroinincnt mcinhcr of the Masonic and Pythian 
orders. In business he is a shipper of raw oysters and a 
packer of canned jfoods. Mr. Gorenflo is prominent in 
business circles and one of Biloxi's most substantial citi- 
zens. He was one of the pioneer packers of this citj- 
and built up a large and lucrative business in that line 
as well as a raw oyster shipjier. He is prog'ressive in 
spirit and ever ready to do what he can to advance the 
material interests of city, county and State. 



JOHN H. MILLER. 

Captain Miller was born at Pauldinjr, Jasper county. 
Miss., December 14, 1847. His life companion, Mr?. 
Alice Miller, is a lady of many Christian virtues and is 
beloved by a larj^e circle of friends. Captain Miller is a 
member of the Masonic order. He is manager of the 



New Orleans from that year up to the time navigation 
was interrupted bv the Federal blockading- vessels. He 
was then commissioned acting master and pilot of the 
Confederate navy and ordered to report to Lieutenant 
Warley, in command of the gunboat Oregon. The 
Oregon and the gunboat Grey Cloud attacked the 
Federal Idockaditig ship Massachusetts, and drove her 
from the Sound. Lieutenant Warley then took posses- 
sion and fortified Ship Island. In lS(i2 Captain Walker 
was placed in command of the Oregon, and, after the 
evacuation of New Orleans, the lake fleet of gunboats, 
consisting of the flag ship Carondelette, the Oregon, 
Bienville, Arrow and Pamlico, which were, by order of 
Commodore Poindexter, destroyed near Covington, La. 
From that time until the close of the war he was on 
detail duty. After the surrender he resumed steam- 
boating along the coast and on the Mississi]>pi river 




JOHN H. MII.I.KK. 

Biloxi Real Estate and Loan Agency. He was a mem- 
ber of Company F. Sixteenth Mississippi regiment, 
during the war between the States, and served three 
3'ears in the Army of Northern Virginia. He was 
engaged in the newspaper business over twentv-live 
years, including the reconstruction period. He is a 
member of the board of trustees of the Industrial Insti- 
tute and College at Columbus. 



CAPTAIN JOHN WALKER. 

Captain John Walker was born in Pennsylvania on 
the 27th day of March, 1834, and in 1849 left his home 
and went to sea, serving under Commodore Perry in his 
Japan expedition in 1852-3, when Perry succeeded in 
having that country open its ports to foreign commerce. 
He returned to the United States in 1855, landing in 
Mobile in 1858. He steamboated between Mobile and 




C.XPTAIN JOHN WAI.KER. 

from New Orleans to the sea. On the 17th of April, 
1S77, he towed the Russian bark Hervatska from New 
Orleans to the sea, through the Eads jetties. That 
was the first loaded vessel to pass through the jetties. 
On March 21, 18S0, he was appointed to command the 
United States steamer Day Dream, in the service of the 
National Board of Health, and in the spring of 1883, 
was transferred to the Marine Hospital Service. He 
resigned from the service in October, 1883, located in 
Biloxi and engaged in the mercantile business. In 1888 
he was elected mayor of the city, and the same year 
was appointed by the Governor a member of the Count}' 
Board of Health. The same year he was elected by the 
Board of Supervisors a member of the pilot commission. 
In 1887 he assisted in organizing the Artesian Ice 
Manufacturing Company, was elected its president and 
has annually succeeded himself to the present time. In 
1888, Captain Walker and Mr. Frank Sutter, of Pass 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



53 



Christian, projected the present system of waterworks, 
but failing to get the public interested, they abandoned 
their efforts until after the destructive lire in 1.SS8, 
which burned the business portion in the vicinit.v of 
Howard avenue and Lameuse street, when they sub- 
mitted their plans and specifications to a number of 
representative citizens, which resulted in the organiza- 
tion of the Artesian Waterworks Company, he being 
elected president, which position he held six years. In 
1892 he helped organize the Bank of Biloxi, and in 1897 
was elected president of that institution, which position 
he still holds. In January, 1897, he assisted in organiz- 
ing the People's Telei)hone Company, and was elected 
its president, retaining same until 1900, when it was 
transferred to the Cumberland Telephone Comjiany. In 
1898 he was elected alderman at large, but resigned be- 
fore the expiration of his term. Few, if any, are more 



He has represented the Fourth ward in the city council, 
being at this time the alderman from that ward, and has 
gained a reputation for public integrity and square deal- 
ing in matters official of which his constituents are 
proud. In every public movement he can be found, and 
if that of a private nature calls, Mr. Bradford promptly 
responds to the summons. He wears his heart upon his 
sleeve and always travels unmasked, be it in the broad 
open light of the day or in a night of Plutonian dark- 
ness. 



DANIEL ARTHUR NASH. 
Dr. Nash was born at Livingston, Ala., December 
10, 1858. His wife was Miss Lizzie Carraway, sister to 
Mr. John Carraway, cashier of the Bank of Biloxi. 
They were blessed with one child which has since died. 
Dr. Nash is a Chapter Mason, a Knight of Pythias and 





JOHN C. liKAlJI'OKD. 



DANDCL AKTHX'K NASH. 



enterprising than Captain Walker, and he has ever 
been alert to the best interest of Biloxi. In matters of 
inil)Iic improvement he has ever stood at the front, and 
Biloxi owes much to his public spirit. 



JOHN C. BRADFORD. 

The subject of this sketch is a native of Biloxi, 
having been born in this city on January 2.>, 1SS5. The 
name of his wife is Sarah E. Bradford, and to them 
seven children were born. Mr. Bradford is quite a fra- 
ternal man, belonging to the A. F. & A. M., R. A. M., 
K. T., I. (). O. F., Elks, Woodmen of the World, 
Knights of Honor and the Biloxi Benevolent Associa- 
tion. Mr. Bradford is the junior member of the firm of 
Elder & Bradford, manufacturers of and dealers in lum- 
ber. He is a prt>gressive spirit and has done much 
toward the upbuilding and the betterment of Biloxi, 



a Knight of Honor. He is by profession a dentist, 
receiving his dental education at the dental department 
of the Southern Medical College, at Atlanta, Ga. He 
took a special course in crown and bridge work after 
leaving college. He was a member of the Mississippi 
Board of Dental Examiners from 1S<)(, to I'too. He was 
mayor of Biloxi from 1899 to l'»01, and a member of the 
Board of School Trustees of Biloxi for two years. He 
also served the city faithfullv as alderman at large. 
Dr. Nash has been a most useful citizen, aside from his 
career as an officer of the municipality. He has been 
ardent in his desire to see the city of his adoption stand 
in the front rank of cities of the State, and whatever he 
could do toward accomplishing that end has been 
promptly done. He continually wears the harness of 
progress and pulls faithfully at the chariot of public 
betterment. In his chosen profession he has builded a 
practice that is as lucrative as it is steadfast and uri' 



54 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



waveriny. In the social realm he counts his friends b3' 
the hundreds, and in business circles he ranks among- 
the most prominent members. 



WILLIAM GASTON HENDERSON. 

Judge Henderson was born at Milton, N. C, August 
3, 182S. To him and his wife, Dona Hubbard Hender- 
son, five children, David, Laura, Dona, Mar_v, Wallace 
and Gaston, were born — David, the eldest, being dead. 
Judge Henderson is a lawyer b}' profession and the 
present postmaster at Biloxi. He was a gallant Confed- 
erate soldier, a severe wound evidences that he was in 
the hottest of the fight at Gettj'sburg. Shortl.y after 
the close of the war he aligned himself with the Repub- 
lican party, and has been several times honored by that 
party. While he has ever been a stanch Republican 




WILLIAM c;aston hendeksox. 

since he left the Democratic party, he never aligned 
himself with the negro element of the Repul)lican party. 
As a private citizen none stand higher in public esteem, 
and as an official he is always courteous and obliging to 
those who have business which comes within his official 
jurisdiction to transact with him. 



(). E. THOMPSON. 

The gentleman whose name appears above was born 
at Kiln, Hancock county. Miss., on the 15th of Sep- 
tember, 1S()5. His wife was Miss Mattie Swanzy. Mr. 
Thompson is a member of the Knights of Pythias and 
of the Odd Fellows. His business is that of an architect 
and builder, and has a well earned reputation in each 
branch of his calling in many surrounding towns, as well 
as in Biloxi, for excellent work. He has many hand- 
some structures standing to his credit throughout this 



coast country. Among the many handsome buildings 
erected in this city by Mr. Thompson may be mentioned 
the new convent of the Sisters of Mercy and the three- 
story brick hotel building owned by Mr. P. Kennedy, 
an illustration of which appears in this edition, and 
the new First Baptist Church on Lameuse street. 



EUGENE BAKELER. 
Mr. Bakeler was born in Strasbourg, Alsace, Febru- 
ary 2f), 1855, and married Marie A. Chevalley, of New 
New Orleans. They have four children — Arthur, Al- 
bert, Robert and Marshall. Mr. Bakeler is a member of 
the Knights of Honor. He is engaged in a general 
news, tobacco and cigar business. He commenced his 
business career as a check boy in the store of D. H. 
Holmes, and rose to the position of salesman at the age 




EUGENE BAKELER. 

of eighteen. He has been a resident of Biloxi seventeen 
years, during which time he served as alderman under 
ex-Mayor Ladnier's administration and made a good 
reputation as such. He always had a fascination for 
the news business, buys direct from the publishers and 
has the finest establishment of its kind on the Gulf 
coast. After the destructive fire he was the first doing 
business in the burnt district which speaks well for his 
pluck and enterprise. He is not selfish, but attributes 
his business success largely to his estimable wife. He 
was a strong advocate in the election for the Gulf & 
Ship Island railroad, and believes in the future prosper- 
itv and greatness of Biloxi. 



WILLIAM OLIVER TALBOT. 

Dr. Talbot was born at Harpersville, Scott county. 
Miss., February 1, 1873, and located in Biloxi in May, 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



55 



1895. He is a member of the P. of H., L O. O. F., O. 
of C, Hoo Hoo and Masonic orders, and is treasurer of 
the Biloxi Lodjre of B. P. O. Elks. He was reared on 
a farm in Scott county, and attended school at the 
Conehatta Institute and the Harpersville Collegfe of 
Dental Surgery during- the winter of 1893-4. In the 
spring- of 1894 he passed the Mississippi Board of Dental 
Examiners, and was granted permanent license to prac- 
tice dentistry in this State. In 1894 he again attended 
lectures at Baltimore, and the winter of 1898 he at- 
tended lectures at the Northwestern Dental School of 
Chicago. He became a member of the Mississippi 
Dental Association in April, 1897. He first advanced 
the idea of teachingf oral hygiene in the public schools, 
and is a member of the text book committee on that 
subject. In 1900 he was electee' secretary of the Missis- 
sippi Dental Association. Since locating in Biloxi he 



he. Biloxi is always glad to welcome men of Mr. 
Rosell's character and enterprise to her citizenship. 



LOUIS STAEHLING. 

The gentleman named above is a native of France, 
being born at Alsace on the eighth of September, 1865, 
the maiden name of his wife being Henrietta Hilden- 
brand. They have been blessed with five children — 
Lizzie, Mamie, Annie, Cecil and Louis. Mr. Staehling 
is a member of the Knights of Honor, Elks, Biloxi Ben- 
evolent Asssociation and Firemen's organization. He 
is engaged in the bakery business and the products of 
his establishment have a wide and favorable reputation 
in this citv and in other coast towns. When he first 
located in Biloxi he worked at his trade as a journeyman, 
Intt it was but a short time until he purchased the Hen- 




r 




WILLIAM OLIVKK. TALBuT. 



LOUIS STAEHLIXC;. 



has gained a large and lucrative practice in his profes- ley bakery and began business for himself, and that he 

sion. On October 2, 1901, Dr. Talbot was united in has been entirely successful is evidence as to his business 

marriage to Miss Rosa Andrews, the accomplished qualifications, 

daughter of Mrs. M. A. Annrews of this city. _^.^^ 



THOMAS JEFFERSON ROSELL. 

Mr. Rosell was born in Monroe county. Mo., Apri. 
28, 18()1. His wife's name is Kizzie Catron Rosell. Mr. 
Rosell is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Elks and I. O. 
O. F. orders. He is engaged on an extensive scale in 
the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds, etc., and the 
superiority of his products give them readv sale at home 
and abroad. He has resided in Biloxi several years and 
holds the esteem of the citizens of the entire coast 
country. He is progressive in his ideas and liberal in 
his opinions. He always advocates improvement and 
no man will lend a more helping hand to that end than 



WILLIAM K. M. DUKATE. 

The above named gentleman was liorn at I'^redricks- 
burg, Indiana, August 10, 1853. He married Miss 
Linda R. Lienhardt, and they are the parents of five 
children— Elbert L., Vera L., Ola May, Maud Irma and 
Bulah L. He is a Mason. Knight Templar, Knight of 
I'ythias and a Knight of Honor. His business is that 
of a packer and canner, he being the junior member of 
the packing and canning firm of Lopez &. Dukate, and 
one of the pioneers of that industry in Biloxi. He is one 
of the most progressive and prosperous business men in 
the South today, the truth of which is attested by the 
extensive business done bv the firm of which he is a 



56 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



member. In helping- to provide suitable educational 
building's for the children of Biloxi he has been most 
liberal in his donation. In other affairs of the public 
he has not only taken a deep interest but has contributed 
his full share toward securing- the improvements needed 
and the advantag-es desired. For the linest opera house 
in the State Biloxi is indebted to Mr. Dukate, and the 
lovers of amusement certainlv appreciate the structure 
he had builded for their enjoyment. We might go on 
and enumerate many other works of Mr. Dukate, but 
this will suffice to show the benilicent and progressive 
character of that gentleman. 



ZACHARY TAYLOR CHAMPLIN. 

Judge Champlin is a native of this (Harrison) county, 
being born at Handsboro, M:irch 2S, 1847, and comes 



administrator and a notary public, and has held the 
office of justice of the peace since 1887. He also has a 
good record as a soldier, having joined the Confederate 
army at the age of eighteen and served until the sur- 
render. 



JAMES LOFTON BOOTH. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Memphis, 
Tenn., on the 10th of February, 1875. His wife was 
Miss Abbie Harkness. He is the senior member of the 
firm of Booth & Nill, proprietors of the Theatre Phar- 
macy, and is a man of excellent business qualifications. 
He graduated in pharmacy at the Philadelphia College 
of Pharmacy in 1896, and had business experience of 
several years in both New York City and Philadelphia. 
He enlisted for the Spanish-American war and saw ac- 
tive service at Santiago de Cuba, being a member of 





KACHAKV TAVI.OK CHAMPLIN. 



JAMES LOFTON BOOTH. 



from one of the oldest and most respected families in the 
State. For manv years he has served this city as a 
justice of the peace, with honor to himself and credit to 
his friends. Judge Champlin has twice been married, 
his first wife being a Miss Virginia Taylor of this 
county, to whom was born five children who are now 
living — Henry, Maggie, Nellie, Lee and Walter — the 
last named being the second young-est and now serving 
his country in the Philippines. In 1885 Judge Champlin 
united in marraige with Miss Mena Schulze Hauser. 
The result of this union is one daughter. Miss Rosa, a 
bright young girl who has a wonderful musical talent 
and is considered a great genius by all who know her. 
The Judge is thoroughly a fraternal man, being a mem- 
ber in high standing of the Masonic order. Odd Fellows, 
Elks, Knights of Ancient Essenic order. Knights of 
Pythias and Wopcltnen of the "\Yprld, He is also countv 



Comiiany F of the Seventv-First New York — the only 
company of that regiment which participated in the 
charge at San Juan Hill. 



FLORIAN SEAL. 

Mr. Seal was born in Biloxi on the 17th day of 
February, 1853. The maiden name of his wife was 
Rebecca V. Walker, and to them two children— Eurilda 
J. and Roderick D. -were born. Mr. Seal is at present 
engaged in the mercantile business, but has been prom- 
inent in public life. He was elected assessor of this 
I Harrison ) county four times, holding that office eight 
years; following that he was elected sheriff of the county 
five times, holding that office twelve years — until the 
law forbiding sheriffs from succeeding themselves went 
into effect, Ip. 1872-3, he serv^4 ei&hteen months as 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



57 



deputy clork of the circuit and chancery courts of Jack- is a neat enyraver and makes to order any piece of jew- 
son county. elry. school medals, etc.. as artistically as can be done 
in anv large citv. 



ULYSSE DESPORTE. 

Mr. Desporte was born in Biloxi on the 10th day of 
October, 1861. He is a member of the Biloxi Benevolent 
Association. His business is that of a wholesale oyster 
shipper, and he enjoj's an extensive trade throujfhout 
the United States. He has alwa3's been an active 
worker for the cause of Democracy, in national, state 
and county campaifjns. In municipal affairs he has al- 
ways taken a stand for what he believed to be right and 
for the best interest of the people. He in now serving 
his second term as a member of the board of superyisors 
of this (Harrison) county, although strenuous methods 
have been made to defeat him at the polls — which is 



ERNEST LEIGH DOYLE, 

Mr. Doyle was born at Weiland, Va., Julv 17, 1S()4. 
To him and his wife, Cecile Marie Doyle, one child has 
been born — Ernest Cecil Hargrove Doyle. Mr. Doyle is 
a member of both the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders. 
He is the manager in this city of the Cumberland Tele- 
phone and Telegraph Company and was formerly man- 
ager of the American Telephone and Telegraph Com- 
pany's operating department. Mr. Doyle located in 
Biloxi several 3'ears ago, and by his upright and thor- 
ough business methods has forged to the front in the 
ranks of our best citizens. As manager of the telephone 




T^LVSSE dp:spoktk. 

conclusive evidence of his popularity with the people. 
In business channels he has always been successful, and 
hence, is of that class of men who look most carefully 
after their official duties. As a citizen there are none 
better, and he is held in high esteem by all with whom 
he is aci|uainted. 



THEODORE A. ILER. 

Mr. Her was born at Athens, Ga.^ in 185.^. His 
wife died ten years ago, leaving him two children — 
Elizabeth and Ernest. He is an Odd Fellow of the Past 
(irand degree, and by occupation a jeweler. He came to 
this State in 1879 locating in Jackson where he was in 
business for nearly twenty years. From there he re- 
moved to Biloxi in 1898. He has the distinction of being 
the only one armed jeweler in the United States. Be- 
sides being an expert watchmaker, he resets diamonds, 




KRNEST LEICIH DOYI.E. 

system in this city he is giving to our people a service 
which is not excelled in this or any other State. A man 
of high integrity and sterling worth he is ever watchful 
of the interest of the patrons of the department of the 
company of which he is manager, consequently he gives 
the fullest satisfaction to the people whom he serves as 
well as to the companj- he represents. 



WILLIA P. KENNEDY. 

Mr. Kennedy was born in New Orleans, La., July 
2(>, 1873. The maiden name of his wife was Fannj- C. 
Wright. Two children were born to them, Francis B. 
and Margaret G. Mr. Kennedy was engaged in the 
retail drug business in this city several 3'ears, and had 
one of the finest appointed drug houses in the State. 
He but recently disposed of bis drug store and is now 



58 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



engfaged in the oyster business. Mr. Kennedy is a gen- 
tleman of sterling worth and has a host of business and 
social friends all along the coast who will wish him 
success in whatever he may undertake. 



JACKSON HERNDON OWINGS. 

Professor Owings was born at Fayette, Mo., Decem- 
ber 27, 18()'>. To him and his wife — Janie Preston 
Owings — two children, Thomas Jackson and Harold 
Preston Owings, were born. Professor Owings is a 
member of the Independent Order of Odd P^ellows. He 
is the present superintendent of the schools of Biloxi. 
Professor Owings graduated in the Ph. B. degree from 
Central College, at Fayette, Mu., in June, 1891. From 
September, 1S91, to September, 1895, he was teacher of 
L.iti i in and principal of the Inter-tate College, at Tex- 



ests of Biloxi. Mr. Kennedy is engaged in the hotel 
business, and is of that class of progressive men required 
to build up a city and his best energy has ever been put 
forth to advance Biloxi. He is a thoroughgoing busi- 
ness man and jnishes to success whatever he may under- 
take. 



MICHAEL WILLIAM MURPHY. 

Mr. Murphy was born in New Orleans, La., where 
he was engaged for many years in the grocery business 
and as contracting stevedore, in which enterprises he 
amassed a considerable fortune, retiring from business 
a few years ago and locating in this city where he has 
many interests. Mr. Murphy is a typical son of the 
"oukl day," genial and hospitable to the fullest degree 
and numbers his friends bv the legion. His wife was 




JACKSON HEKNDON OWINGS. 

arkana. Ark. From September, 1895, to September, 
1897, he was superintendent of the city schools of Port 
Gibson, Miss. From September, 1897, to the present 
time he has been superintendent of the Biloxi schools. 
He has attended two summer terms at the University of 
Chicago, in the Department of Pedagogy-. Professor 
Owings ranks high as an educator, and his excellent 
work since he has been superintendent of the schools of 
this city will sustain every claim made for him along 
that line. 



PATRICK KENNEDY. 

Mr. Kennedy is a native of Irelad, being born in 
that country on the thirly-first of Ma}', 1845. His wife's 
maiden name was Margaret McKenna, five children be- 
ing born to them. His two sons, J. J. and W. P. Ken- 
nedy, are prominently identified with the business inter- 




MICHAEL WILLIAM MURPHY. 

Miss Mar)- Keelleen and has contributed much to his 
success. He is a member of the Catholic Knights of 
America and of the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Murphy 
has an extensive ac((uaintance both along the coast and 
in Louisiana, and is noted for his square dealing in all 
of his business transactions. 



EDWARD LEWIS SUTER. 

The well known gentleman whose name appears 
above is a native of Louisiana, being born in the citj' of 
New Orleans. He is a member of the Mason and Wood- 
men of the World orders. He has resided in Biloxi fif- 
teen years and is a contracting painter, paperhanger 
and sign writer. Much of the artistic painting on 
buildings and the handsome signs in the city which at 
once attracts the attention of strangers when thev visit 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



59 



Biloxi, together with the handsome decorations inside, 
finishing touches of the brush, are monuments to his 
skill as an artisan. He is one of our most popular citi- 
zens, up-to-date and energetic in all matters ])ertaining 
to his calling, and has unbounded belief in the great- 
ness of Biloxi's future destin)-. 



JAMES STOCKTON. 

Mr. Stockton was born in New Orleans, La., P^eb- 
ruary 11, 1S60. He married ^Lly T. Boudreaux, and 
the\' are the parents of four children —James, Mary, 
Leandra and Lawrence. He is a member of the Knights 
of Pj'thias, Woodmen of the World, Spanish Benevolent 
Association and the Biloxi Benevolent Association. 
Mr. Stockton is engaged in the shoe business, which is 
one of the most profitable on the entire coast. He is a 




JAMES STOCKTON. 

good citizen, a clever gentlemen and deserves the high 
respect from the citizens of Biloxi which he receives. 



JOSEPH PETER HOGAN. 

The above named gentleman was born in New Or- 
leans, La., November 17, 1865, the maiden name of his 
wife being Bernice Smyle_y. To them two children were 
born — James Earl and Bernice Hogan. Mr. Hogan is 
engaged in the grocer.v business, and has a lucrative 
trade. He possesses that push and energy which alwa3's 
brings financial reward and it is safe to say he will not 
prove an exception to that condition. 



WH.LIAM RUDOLF. 

Mr. Rudolf was born at Picton, Nova Scotia, March 
2^), 1865, his wife being Emily Faure Rudolf. He is a 



member of the firm of W. S. Keyser & Co., of the Pensa- 
cola. Mobile and Pascagoula district, exjjorters of timlier 
and lumber. Mr. Rudolf is one of the 1 est timber and 
lumbermen on the coast, and commands a large trade. 
His firm reaches every market in their exporting business, 
and has a standing in the timber marts of the world 
which their competitors may well lie envious. 



JOSIAH COGER CLOWER. 

The above named gentleman was born at Hillsboro, 
Scott county. Miss., November 22, 185"^. He married 
Miss Mar}' Thornton, and three children — Jessie Lee, 
Ada and May Bell — are the issue of their union. Mr. 
Clower is a member of the Odd Fellows and of the 
Woodmen of the World. His business is that of dealng 




JOSIAH COtlKK CLOWEK. 

in plain and fancy furniture and house furnishings, a 
business in which he has prospered since first he opened 
his stock in Biloxi. Mr. Clower is recognized as a thor- 
ough business man, a careful financier and punctual in 
all his methods. 



LAZARO LOPEZ, JR. 

The gentleman whose name appears above was born 
in Biloxi, November 25, 1877, and married Miss Eurilda 
Seal. They have one child, Eurilda. Mr. Lopez is a 
memlier of the Biloxi Benevolent Association, and is a 
young man of fine business qualifications. He is assist- 
ant manager of the Lopez & Dukate canning factory. 
His father is the senior member of the firm, and has set 
him a fine example of business push and tact which he 
has not been slow to take advantage of. 



60 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



JESSE SMITH. 
Mr. Smith is a native of North Carolina, being 



born in Moore county. 



He married Ophelia Barthes, 
^^^^^^^ of this city, and 
of this union 
two children, 
Lizzie and Jesse 
A., were born. 
Mr. Smith is a 
member of the 
K. of H. and of 
the Elks. He 
is a popular liv- 
er\'man, sends 
out first-class 
rigs, and with 
the trav'eling 
public he has a 
good trade, 
which is con- 
stantly grow- 
ing. There is 
ji r o b a b 1 y no 
man in the this 
section of the 
State, engaged 
in the same 
business, looks more carefully after the wants and con- 
veniences of his patrons than Mr. Smith. 




JESSE SMITH 



MARSHALL SEAL. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Biloxi on 
the 21st dav of October, 1851, his wife being Emma 




port, he located here, the city of his nativity, and 
entered the mercantile business. Mr. Seal is also en- 
gaged in the dredging of o^'sters, being a one-third 
owner in the steam dredgeboat "Demopolis," in which 
he takes an active interest. 



CHARLES McCORMACK. 

Mr. McCormack is a native of Louisiana, being 
born in New Orleans, La., on the March 1, 1842. He is 
engaged in the manufacture of ice and is the owner of 
the Hygeia Ice Plant. In his business affairs he has 
been one of the most successful men in the State who 




CHAKLES M COKMACK. 



are engaged in the manufacture of artificial ice. He is 
one of Biloxi's substantial men and keeps pace with 
ever3' improvement in the manufacture of his product. 
Mr. McCormack is a member of the Masonic fraternitv. 



L. Bryant. For some time he held the office of justice 
of th? peace, ^t Gulfport, this county, Leaving Gwlf- 



LAZARO LOPEZ. 

Mr. Lopez is a native of Spain, being born in that 
country October 11, 1850. Immigrating to this country 
in 1881, he landed in Biloxi. His wife was Miss Julia 
Dulion, and they are the parents of seven children. Mr. 
Lopez is a merchant and the senior member of the can- 
ning company of Lopez & Dukate. He is a man of un- 
tiring energy and quick to take advantange of an oppor- 
tunity. From a poor boy he has builded himself up to a 
position in life where he is called by the world a wealthy 
man. Be that as it may, Mr. Lopez has proven himself 
to be both a shrewd and careful business man, a good 
citizen and a Christian gentleman. Both philanthropic 
and benevolent by nature, manj- acts of kindness and 
charity stiind to his credit, pf which the y(gr\d knows 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



iM 



but little if anythinjf. Toward the iipliuildinK' of Biloxi 
he has been a most potent factor, of whicli his public 
life as a member of the citj' council will attest, and the 
magnificent buildings he owns stand as monuments. 
But there is a more beautiful monument to his name 
than sculptor could carve, and that is the beautiful 
school building he gave, that the children of the city of 
the present and the future generations might have a 
place wherein to train for the duties of trui man and 
womanhood. In the advocacy of public improvements 
and for the betterment of Biloxi he has always been at 
the front, and a more public spirited man than Mr. 
Lopez is not to be found. 



JOHN EISTETTER. 

Mr. Eistetter was born in New Orleans, La., March 
5, 1S5(>. His wife's maiden name was Whilmena Schoo- 




JOHN EISTETTKK. 

machcr, two children — John F. and Whilmena — blessing 
their union. Mr. Eistetter is a member of the Masonic 
order, and by occupation a builder. Mr. Eistetter is one 
of Biloxi's substantial citizens, and many of the beauti- 
ful buildings of the citj' stand as monuments to his skill 
as a builder. His ideas are progressive and he is a 
strong advocate of public improvements. 



Staehling. After selling that establlslnneiit he was 
connected with several business enterprises before enter- 
ing his present occupation. As a business man his 



WILLIAM P. HENLEY. 

Mr. Henley was born in New Orleans, La., on the 
December 14, 1869. He married Miss Elizabeth Schu- 
mann, the issue of their union being two children — 
Edwin and Mildred. Mr. Henley is a Knight of Honor. 
He is engaged in the merchant tailoring business. At 
his father's death, a few years ago, he suceeded him in 
and conducted the bakery now owned by Mr. Louis 




WILL-IAM P. HENLEY. 

integrity is beyond question and his energetic disposition 
is a strong guarantee of success in whatever he may 
undertake. 



WILLIAM P. BURKE. 
The subject of this sketch is a native of North Car- 
olina, being born in that State on tie 20th of May 



m 





1S58. He married Miss Edna V. McElvary, their union 
being blessed with one child— Hazel. Mr. Burke is a 



(.2 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



member of the Kniffhts of Pythias and of the Biloxi 
Benevolent Association. He is a prominent contractor 
and builder, and there are many tine residences in Biloxi 
and the c mntry circumjacent which attest his skill as a 
workman. 



CHARLES H. OWEN. 

Mr. Owen was born in Holmes county. Miss., Sep- 
tember IS, 1S7L He is a contractor and builder and the 
magnificent structures that he has erected in this city 
are evidence that he is thorougfhly skilled in that line. 
But his work in this city alone is not all the testimony 
of his proficiency. Many handsome structures in other 
cities and towns of the State stand as witnesses of skillful 
handiwork, and are proof positive that Mr. Owen is in- 
deed master of his avocation. Careful and painstaking- 



tractors. Mr. Hattlestad is an adept in his line and 
commands a large trade for his firm. 



W. H. MAYBIN. 



Hon. W. H. Maybin, a leading lawyer of this cit}% 
was born in Yazoo county. Miss., thirty-five years ago, 
and was educated at the University of Mississippi and 
Tulane University, and began the practice of law in this 
city in the spring of L'<'I0, since which time he has been 
actively engaged in the legal profession and has won an 
enviable position in the front ranks of the bar of the 
Sea Coast of Mississippi. Mr. Maybin served Harrison 
county in the State legislature at the session of 1894, 
since which time he has declined public office. Mr. 
Maybin was married in 1896 to Miss Mary H. Evans, 
one of the most noted ladies in Mississippi. Mr. May- 




CH.\RLES H. OWEN. 

in every detail of the plans and specifications laid down 
to guide him in his work there is no such thing as failure 
to please those for whom he builds. To meet and con- 
verse with him is to recognize at once that he is an 
uptodate man, who makes no claim to that which he 
does not understand, either in contracting or building. 



J. A. HATTLESTAD. 

Mr. Hattlestad was born at Milwaukee, Wis., on the 
15th day of February, 1860. To him and his wife, L. 
May Hattlestad, four children — Elsa, Clair, Harry and 
Phyllis — were born. His business is that of a lumber- 
man, being a member of the firm of J. T. White & Co.. 
of Moss Point, Miss., manufacturers of lumber and 
timber. The output of this firm has a wide reputation 
for excellence, and is sought after bv builders and con- 




HOX. W. H. JIAVBIX. 



bin has the rcpution of being one of the most finished 
and eloquent speaker of South Mississippi. 



GEORGE B. ELDER. 

Mr. Elder was born in Biloxi, February 14, 1861. 
His wife was Miss Mary E. McDonald and the}' are the 
the parents of four children — Georgie, Roy, Minnie Ma}' 
and Willie. He is a member of the Knights of Honor. 
Mr. Elder owns and successfull.v operates a machine 
shop. He ranks among the cit3''s substantial men. He 
possesses a progressive spirit and believes in public im- 
provements. 



JOHN P. KELLY. 

Mr. Kelly is a native of Ohio, and was born in Cin- 
cinnati, Julv 21. 1853. He married Miss Jane Powell 



^HE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



63 



iind the issue of their union was ten children- Effie, Knijjhts of IVthias. He is eng'ag-ed in the o-eneral 
Charles, Lizzie, Theresa, Eddie, Leo, Joe, Francis, Ehia merchandise business, and is rapidlv building- up a ^ood 
and Freddie. Mr. Kelly is a member of the Knig-hts of trade. 




JOHN P. KEI.LEY. 

Pythias order. He is a prominent contractor and builder, 
a man of sterling (jualities and in every way a desirable 
citizen. 



EDGAR S. BALTHROPE. 

The subject of this sketch was born at Saverton, 
Ralls county. Mo., on the 17th of August, 1873. To him 




A. O. BOURDON. 

The subject of this sketch was born in New Orleans, 
La., on the 2(>th day of November, 1808, and although 
quite a young man, has been eng-aged in business in this 
city about fifteen years, and is quite popular with all 
classes. Mr. Bourdon was happily mated to Miss 
Catherine Griffin, of this city, on October 30, 1899, and 
they have a delightful home on the beach. For several 
years Mr. Bourdon has been engaged in the retail liquor 
business in this city, and his place, which is situated 
immediately on the Mississippi Sound, is a favored 
resort for home folk and visitor alike. He is also an 




A. O. BOURDON. 

ardent and very successful disciple of Isaak Walton, and 
his services are always at the disposal of the "strangrer 
within our gates" who seeks the denizens of the deep. 
Mr. Bourdon is also an enthusiastic member of the 
Biloxi Lodg-e of Elks and Knights of Pythias. 



and his wife, Rosa A. Balthrope, one child was born — 
E. S. Balthrape, Jr. Mr. Balthrope is a member of the 



JAMES WALKER ELDER. 

Mr. Elder is a native o; Biloxi, having been born in 
this city on the 13th day of September, 1852. His wife 
was Miss Esther Ophelia Clevel, and they are blessed 
with three children — James C, Julia H. and Louisa. He 
is a Mason and a Knight of Honor. Mr. Elder is the 
senior member of the sawmill and lumber firm of Elder 
& Bradford, which is among the leading firms of that 
character in this coast country. Mr. Elder is among 
our most careful business men, but at the same time he 



64 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



is aiuonji: the most liberal in iiuitters pertainins,' to the 
interest of the public. He is one of the best citizens of 



/^ 



i0BW^' 




JAMES WALKER ELDER. 

of Biloxi and of Harrison county, and is so recognized 
bv all who know him, and revered for his true merit. 



JOHN J. KENNEDY. 

There is probably no young- man within the con- 
fines of this beautiful city who is more popular and has 




JOHN J. KENNEDY. 

more friends than the subject of this sketch. Mr. 
Kennedy is a native of New Orleans, La., having- been 



resided in this city about ten years, during which time 
he has been prominently and successfully connected 
with its bu.siness interests, and is now engaged in the 
hotel, restaurant and saloon business. Located immed- 
iately at the depot of the Louisville & Nashville rail- 
road, Kennedy's Hotel, over which Mr. Kennedy pre- 
sides, is one of the best patronized hostelries on the 
coast, and the service in every particular is all that 
could be desired. An illustration of Kenned^-'s Hotel 
appears elsewhere in this publication. Mr. Kennedy 
was married to Miss Minnie Gilbert, who lived only 
about one year after their marriage, leaving a little 
daughter, Sarah. Mr. Kenned}- is a member of the 
Biloxi I.,odge of Elks, an officer of the Biloxi Yacht 
Club, and of the Young Men's Gymnastic Club of New 
(Orleans, and takes a deep interest in these orders. 



J. W. FARRISH. 

Mr. Farrish was born at Brandon, Miss., May 15, 
1855. His wife was Miss Mary E. Council. One child 
was born to them — John Edward Parish. Mr. Farrish 




J. W. FARKISH. 

is a member of the Woodmen of the World and of the 
Biloxi Benevolent Association. By occupation a black- 
smith and manufacturer of the onl^- schooner 03'ster 
dredge and winder on the coast. 



McSHANE & MORRIS. 

The two gentlemen composing the above numed 
firm — ]McShane & Morris — are among Biloxi's substan- 
tial and progressive business men, and although they 
have been in this citv onlv about four years, they have 



born in that city on the 12th day of June, 1875, but has built up a large and lucrative patronage as machinists. 




THE BII.OXI DAIlvY HERAI.D STAFF. 



i. (iEOKGE W. WILKKS. rriiliriclnr. 
•> CHAS Sr WILKES, Miuia.'er Subsiriiiliou Depiirtmciit. :i "■,^- KVAXS KiUlnr. 

K. ECGEXE wrr.KES, Co.upositor. B. WAI.TEK C. ^V, ',^-Pfnr Tvf-7rd l"'T''rr;. of 

8. W. H. FAKMEK. City Ueporter. '■!. AKISI 11)1'. 1 1.EI.OAK, ( ..nii.o^.l.M . 



E H liENEDICT, Manager Herald I'riutery. 

7 MlJiS MA ITIE C. laiT. Society PMitress. 

10 WIM.IAM MATTHIE, Conipositor. 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



65 



boilermakers and blacksmiths, and in the manufacture 
of steam oysters dredges and winders. Mr. McShane, 
the senior member of the firm, was born in Belfast, 
Ireland, twenty-nine years ago, but has been in this 




Thomas McSfame. 

country some ten years. Last Nove.nte' he was 
happily married to one of Biljxi's f.tir daug- .ters. Miss 
Eliza Agnes McCabc. He is an earnest niinber ..f the 
Biloxi order of Llks and takes an acliw iatere.U in all 
tlat pcrtaii s to the good of the order. I\Ir. D. E. 
Mortis, the junior member of the tirni, is a n tive of 




D. E. MOKKIS. 



this county, having been born at Pass Christian thirty- 
five years ago, and has resided in this city about four 
years. Mr. Morris is also married, having won a prize 
in the matrimonial market a year ago last Christmas, 



his wife being a Miss Edna Harkness, one of Biloxi's 
most fair and charming daughters. Mr. Morris is an 
honored member of the Biloxi lodge of Masons, Odd 
Fellows, Elks, Knights of Pythias, and of the Marine 
Engineers' Association. 



THEODORE BRUNE. 

After many years have passed away the name of 
this gentleman will be preserved to future Bilo.xians in 
this city from plans of this master architect — buildings 
that stand as monuments testifying to his skill and ar- 
tistic taste. Mr. Brunc was born in Stuttgart, Ger- 
many, in 1S54, and studied architecture in the universi- 
ties of that country, graduating with the highest 
honors. After coming to the United States Mr. Brune 
followed his profession in New York and St. Louis and 
some fi ur years ago located in New Orleans, where his 




THiODO^E BKUNK. 

services are much sought after. Among the handsome 
buildings in this city that owe their beauty of creation 
to the artistic mind of Mr. Brune may be mentioned the 
beautiful homes of L. Lopez and W. K. M. Dukate, the 
Biloxi Y^cbt Club building, Dukate's Theatre, the sub- 
stantial and imposing brick business houses occupied by 
T. P. Dulion & Co., Folkes& Grant and L. Lopez & Co. 
The magnificent Catholic Church building, now in 
course of construction, will add another laurel to his 
rejiutation. 



WILLIAM T. GRIFFIN. 

The above named gentleman is comparatively 
among the new-comers to this city, having come here 
only about eighteen months ago from Natchez, Miss., 
where he was born and educated. Although quite a 
voung man — 23 years of age — Mr. GrifSn holds the re- 
sponsible position of deputy collector and inspector of 
customs, having received his appointment under collec- 



66 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



tor of customs J. P. Walworth, retained in the same po- 
sition by Collector Turley and Collector Swan, the pres- 
ent incumbent. Mr. Griffln also served with distinction 
in the Spanish-American war, holding a commission as 
1st lieutenant in First Refjfiment, Co. C Mississippi 




WILLIAJl T. (.K!TKIX. 



National Guard. In the order of Elks, which he is a 
member, he takes a lively interest as he also does in af- 
fairs pertainin;,'- to the good of the Kiluxi Y;iclit Club, 
of which he is a charter member. ■ 



FRANK B. CASTANERA. 

In maritime circles there are perhaps none more fa- 
vorably known than he whose name precedes this sketch. 

Capt. Castanera was 
born in Scranton, 
Miss., on Jan. 16, 1870, 
and was educated at 
Spri ng Hill College, 
Mobile, Ala. For four 
years he has been mas- 
ter of steam vessels, 
and for nine years chief 
engineer of ocean 
steamers. Capt. Cas- 
tanera came to Biloxi 
in 18'i3 and until re- 
cently was engaged in 
the steam tug business 
between this city and 
Ship Island, and is now 
engaged in the retail 
lumber and general 
supply business in this city. He is also an active 
piember of the American Association of Masters and 




Pilots, Odd Fellows, Essenic Knights, Biloxi Benevo- 
lent Association, and Biloxi Yacht Club. Shortly after 
making his home in this city, Capt. Castanera was hap- 
pily married to one of Biloxi's fairest daughters— Miss 
Amelia Desporte — and as a result of the marriage two 
bright and beautiful children make doubly happy the 
home of the fond and loving parents. 



J. R. PRATT. 



Among the business men who have within the past 
few years located on this coast there are none who are 
more po])ular omong those who know him than genial, 
happy hearted J. R. Pratt, and none that are more pros- 
perous and enterprising in their business affairs. Mr. 
Pratt was born in Tullahoma, Tennessee, forty-five 
years ago and in early manhood's life was happily wed- 
ded to Miss Jennie Coats, of Shiloh, Tenn. To the 
couple were born two children — one now a charming 
young lady and the other a manly boy. Mr. Pratt is 
engaged in the manufacture of long leaf yellow pine 




J. K. PRATT. 

lumber and export and bridge timbers, and is president 
of the Ten-Mile Lumber Co., near Perkinston, this 
county, although his family resides in this city. He is 
also largely interested in lime works at Calera, Ala., 
and real estate at Gulfport and other places throughout 
the country. As a fraternity man Mr. Pratt has active 
memberships in the Masonic Order, Knights Templar, 
Shriner, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Royal Ar- 
caneum. Elks, and Biloxi Yacht Club. 



LfiSLIE PARTRIDGE. 

Among the educators of the State their are none 
perhaps who take a greater and more earnest interest in 
the work of education than the gentleman whose name 
heads this sketch. Mr. Partridge was born in New Or- 
leans, La., on the Stb of March, 1S75, and a]thoug:lj 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



67 



quite a i'Dungf man has had considerable experience in 
educational work. Graduatinfj with the degree of A. B. 
from Mississippi Collefje in 18<)4, Prof. Partridyfe held 
the chair of mathematics in Marion Military Institute 
in 1895. and for the two succeeding- _vears that of Eng- 
lish in the same institute during the j-ear of '95 and '96, 
was head master of Latin in the High School at Natchez 
in '97 and '98. In 1899 Prof. Partridge was induced to 
accept the position of assistant superintendent of the 
public schools of this city, a position which he now fills 
to the utmost satisfaction of pupils and patrons, and 
with his advanced methods of teaching has added no 
little to the high reputation of the Biloxi public school 
system. 



Marguerite Young, and to them two children were born 
— Kate and Louise. Mr. Russell is a Mason and a mem- 
ber of the Firemen's Association. His occupation is 



LOUIS OSCAR JOHNSON. 
The subject of this sketch is a member cf one of 
the oldest families of Biloxi and was born in this citj' 35 
years ago and educated here. Mr. Johnson married a 
Miss Jennie Edwards of this city and as a result of this 
nnion they are are blessed with one child a son. Mr. 




LOUIS OSCAR JOHNSON. 

Johnson is a practical and scientific sugarmaker and his 
services are always in demand by the sugar planters of 
Louisiana, and this business takes him away from Bi- 
loxi about four months of each }'ear during the sugar- 
making season. He is also engag-ed with his brother 
John in the retail liquor business. Mr. Johnson is an 
enthusiastic devotee of j'achting' and is the official meas- 
urer of the Biloxi Yacht Club. 




GEOROK C. KUSSEL. 

that of a blacksmith and wheelwright, in which busi- 
ness he has an excellent trade. 



GEORGE C. RUSSELL. 

Mr. Russell is a native of Denmark, being born in 
•that countrj on September 10, 1841. His wife was Miss 



ROLF SEEBERG. 

This gentleman's name is a familiar one not only 
in this section of the country but in nearly every por- 
tion of the world where 
seagoing vessels of 
whatever description 
enter. Mr. Seeberg is 
engaged in the ship 
chandlery business in 
this city and Mobile, 
Ala., where he has 
large establishments, 
and probablj' no man 
engag-ed in the same 
business in the entire 
south has catered more 
to the wants of seago- 
ing vessels than Mr. 
Seeburg, and by his 
genial and sunny dis- 
position and fair deal- 
ing, once he secures a customer, it is for all time. Mr. 
Seeburg- was born in Tonsberg, Norway, on the 28th of 
July, 1869, but came to this country in 1805, and en- 
gaged in the ship chandlery business in Mobile, and 
in 1898 established a branch business here. Mr. See- 
berg- is numbered among the benedicts, the maiden 
name of his wife being- Miss Cecilia J. Falck, and two 




68 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



lovely and interesting children arc a result of this mar- 
riage contract. Mr. Seeberg is a member of the Ma- 
sonic fraternity and also a stockholder in the Biloxi 
Yacht Club. 



PETER QUAVE. 
Among all the names connected with the early his- 
tory of this coast country, there is probably none more 

familiar than that of 
the subject of this 
sketch. Mr. Ouave 
was born on the north 
side of the Back Bay 
of Biloxi, in 1863, and 
when quite a young 
man was joined in wed- 
lock to Miss Alphon- 
sinc Bone}', to whom 
nine cliildren have been 
liorn. Since early man- 
hood Mr. (Juave has 
been engaged in busi- 
ness in the locality in 
which he was born and 
stands among the solid and respected men of the com- 
munity, and can always be found working for the bet- 
terment and advancement of this section of the country. 





youth 15 years of age. Mr. Claiborne comes from an 
illustrious family, and is a grandson of W. C. C. Clai- 
borne, first governor of Louisiana. He is also an old 
Confederate soldier, and was severely wounded in the 
battle of Shiloh. In the Order of Elks, the Commercial 
Club and the Biloxi Yacht Club his name appears as a 
charter member. 



CHARLES S. CLAIBORNE. 

The gentleman whose name precedes this sketch 
has the good fortune to be numbered among the sub- 
stantial liusiness men 
of this community and 
is up-to-date, energetic 
and progressive in his 
ideas. Mr. Claiborne 
was born in Louisiana 
on July 4, 1845, and 
for many years he con- 
ducted a most success- 
ful mercantile business 
in New Orleans. Dur- 
ing the year 1896 he 
located in this city, 
being impressed with 
its advantages as a 
business point, and 
how well his impres- 
sions were founded is 
evidenced by the successful business he has builded in 
the mercantile line — a business which is constantly en- 
larging with each succeeding year. Mr. Claiborne 
takes a lively interest in all that pertains to the ad" 
vancement of the material welfare of Biloxi and can 
always be found working along that line. On Septem- 
ber 1, 1887, he was united in marriage with Miss Annie 
Marshall, „to whom one child was born — Cole — now a 



ANDREW J. RAMSAY. 

The gentleman whose name heads this sketch was 
born at Ramsay, this county, on July 4, 1840, and for 
more than a (juarter of a century- has occupied a most 
prominent position in public affairs of the county, hav- 
ing served with honor in the State legislature, and for 
several terms filling the responsible office of sheriff, a 
position which he now holds. Mr. Ramsay's name is a 




.\NDREW J. RAMSAY. 

familiar one in nearly every household in the county, 
and probably no man ever acquired a greater or more 
deserving popularity in his own bailiwick, as was evi- 
denced at the last election, when he carried every pre- 
cinct in the countv by overwhelming majorities. Mr. 
Ramsay was married in early life to Miss Mary M. 
Mvers, and they are blessed with three children— A. J., 
junior, Katye D. and B. F. Ramsay. 



FREDERICK SEALE HEWES. 

Mr. Hewes is a native of Louisiana, having been 
born in the city of New Orleans on the 25th of Ma3', 
1830. His wife's name is Fannie M. Hewes. Mr. Hewes 
is the present clerk of the Circuit and Chancery Courts 
of this (Harrison) County, which office he has held for 
about twenty-six consecutive years. This tells the 
story of his popularity with the people of the CQuntj' iq 



THE BILOXI DAILY HEKALD. 



69 



languagfe that needs no interpretation. He is equal^' 
as popular with the judges and other court officers, as 
well as with the home bar and those of foreijjn bars who 
attend the sessions of the courts held at Mississippi 
City. Bej'ond the county confines he has man\- as warm 
personal friends as can be found within its borders, 
either personal or political. Mr. Hewes is a model offi- 
cer, an excellent citizen and a christian gentleman; but 
to know him is to revere his name. 



to them five children — Gus, Theresa, Lillie, Marie and 
Juliet — were born. He is an upholsterer and furniture 
dealer, and by correct business methods and fair deal- 



FREDERICK QUERENS, Jk. 

Mr. Que. ens was born in New Orleans, La., where 
he has always resided since the 8th of February, 18S8. 
In 1882 he was married to Miss Pauline J. Trinchard, 
and of their union the issue was four children — three 
living and one dead. The living are: Irnia, Frederick 
and Perc}' Querens. Mr. Querens is a member of the 




FKEDKKICK QUEKENS, JK. 

Knights of Pythias and of the Associated Accountants 
of New Orleans. He was educated in the common 
schools of that city. He began work quite young and 
was in the emploj- of Wackerbath & Joseph over twent}' 
3'ears, who were the leading tobaconists of that city for 
j'ears. He has always taken a special pride in Biloxi, 
owns considerable improved and valuable real estate 
here, and has been instrumental in the advancement of 
thi scity. He was a heavy loser by the fire of Novem. 
ber, 1900, but was not discouraged, as is evidenced by 
the handsome buildings he has erected since that con- 
flagration. Mr. Querens is well and favorably known 
all along the coast. 




NICHOLAS HENZELENA. 



ing has built up a prosperous trade. Mr. Henzelena is 
an upright, honorable citizen, and has the esteem and 
confidence of the communitv. 



NICHOLAS HENZELENA. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Switzerland, 
February 6, 1855. He married Miss Johana Fouth, and 



PERCY LEE ELMER. 

Probably no young man in this community is better 
known and more popular with his fellows than Perc)' 
Lee Elmer. Born and 
reared in this city, and 
educated at the Catho- 
lic Convent School, he 
has grown up with 
new and progressive 
Biloxi, and numbers 
his friends by legion. 
Mr. Elmer was born in 
1873, and although 
quite a young man is 
prominent in public af- 
fairs, and is now serv- 
ing his second term as 
alderman of the second 
ward. He also takes 
(juite a lively interest 
in affairs pertaining to 

the tire department of the city, and has filled se\eral 
positions of honor and responsibility in that body. He 
is also a member of the Knights of Honor. Mr. Elmer 
was married in 18')() to Miss Mamie Griftin of this city, 
and as a result of this union one child was born — a 
daughter. As the junior member of the tirm of Collins 




70 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



& Elmer he is engaged in the general blacksmithing 
and horseshoeing business, and in his chosen calling 
there is none better. 



RAMON QUAVE. 

One of the best known men in the Back Ba.v section 
of this count}- is Mr. Ramon Quave, a descendant of one 

of the oldest families 
of the Mississippi gulf 
coast. Mr. (Juave was 
born on the north side 
of the beautiful Back 
Bay of Biloxi, Missis- 
sippi, in 1851, where 
he has since resided, 
and has for man_v years 
conducted a most suc- 
cessful mercantile bus- 
iness. In early life he 
was happily married to 
Miss Josephine Sey- 
mour, to whom have 
been born eleven chil- 
dren. Mr. Quave if an enthusiastic member of the 
Knights of Pythias, and takes an active interest in all 
that pertains to the good of the community in which he 
resides. 




WM. F. GORENFLO. 

The subject of this sketch is a native born Biloxian 
and one of the best known and popular young men in 

this section of the 
country. Mr. Gorenflo 
was born on the 14th 
cf July, 1877, and was 
educated at the A. and 
M. College at .Stark- 
ville. Miss., graduat- 
ing in the mechanical 
department in 1899. At 
the present time he is 
one of the efficient and 
trusted assistant cash- 
iers of the Bank of Bi- 
loxi. Mr. Gorenflo is a 
member and officer of 
the local lodge of Elks 
and also one of the pro- 
moters and a director 
of the Biloxi Yacht Club, and takes quite a lively inter- 
est in all that pertains to the business and social inter- 
ests of this citv. 




for five vears. After graduating in medicine at Tulane 
University in 1894, he practiced in Jackson until the fall 
of 1895, at which time he went to Guatemala, Central 
America, as surgeon for the Verapaz Railroad Compan}-, 
and remained there until the spring of 1897, at which 
time he was compelled to leave on account of ill health. 
After his return to the States he was appointed State 
quarantine officer at Cat Island, which position he re- 
tained until the outbreak of yellow fever was announced 
in August of 1897, when he came to Biloxi and remained 
through the outbreak, having an attack of the disease 
at the very last of the epidemic. In 1898, he was elected 
coast sanitary inspector by the State board of health 
for that year and at the close of his contract engaged 
in the practice of his profession in this city, where he 
has met with the most gratifying success. Dr. Folkes 
was one of the commissioners appointed b}' Governor 
McLaurin to go to Cuba and make a special study of 
yellow fever. He is a member of the State and Ameri- 
can Medical Association, director in the Bank of Biloxi, 
a director in the Biloxi Commercial Club, and a partner 
in the drug firm of Folkes & Grant, which by the way 
is one of the finest equipped and most imposing drug 
houses in the South. Dr. Folkes was married some two 
years ago to Miss Theresa Lopez, one of the most charm- 
ing and attractive young ladies of this city, and to the 
devoted couple has been born a daughter, named after 
the mother. In the fraternal orders Dr. Folkes has 
membership as a Templar Mason and Odd Fellow. 



Dr. 



HYMAN McMACKIN FOLKES. 
H. M. Folkes, was born in Bovina, Miss., on 



October (>, 1871, and first engaged in business as a drug- 
gist in Jackson, Miss., which he conducted successsully 



ROBERT M. MOSLEY. 

Probably no city in the State has better police pro- 
tection than Biloxi, and chief of its police department 

is the subject of this 
sketch. Mr. Mosley is 
a native of Kemper 
County and was born 
in 18()5. After reach- 
ing man's estate Mr. 
Mosley was married to 
Miss Mary E. Naylor 
of the same county and 
to the couple one child 
has been born — Robert 
M., Jr. For ten years 
Mr. Mosle}' was con- 
nected with the police 
department of Meri- 
dian, with the rank of 
sargeant, during which 
service he made for 
himself an enviable record as a most efficient officer. 
For the past six years he has served this city as mar- 
shal and chief of police, having been elected by the 
people b_v overwhelming majorities. Mr. Mosley is also 
engaged in the livery and transfer business. He is also 
an active and energetic member of the Elks, K. of P., 
Woodmen, K. of H., Biloxi Benevolent Association and 
the Biloxi Yacht Club. 




THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



71 



DAVID J. VENUS. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Louisiana in 
the )'ear 1878, and moved with his parents to Biloxi 

about ten j-ears ago, 
receiving his education 
in the public schools 
of this city. Mr. Ve- 
nus engaged in the re- 
tail grocery trade, and 
by strict attention to 
business and hustling 
methods built up and 
increased his patron- 
age. During the dis- 
astrous fire which vis- 
ited this city in the 
month of November, 
1900, Mr. Venus was 
among the heaviest 
losers. Nothing daunted, however, and with an 
indomitable spirit and unlimited energy, it was only 
a few months before he was again in business and en- 
joying a larger patronage than before. Mr. Venus is 
thoroughly up-to-date and progressive, ever alert to the 
interests of his customers, and is classed among Biloxi's 
substantial citizens and business men. 




ANDREW J. BOURDON. 

Among the young business men of Biloxi there are 
none more energetic and popular than the one whose 

name heads this brief 
sketch. Mr. Bourdon 
was born in New Or- 
leans in 1873, but has 
been a resident of this 
city for about fifteen 
years, and bj- his 
steady and industrious 
habits has gained the 
confidence and esteem 
of the community. Mr. 
Bourdon is engaged in 
the retail ice business, 
and does the bulk of 
the trade in that line. 
He is also a member of 
the Bill Posters' Asso- 
ciation, giving prompt attention to commercial and the- 
atrical bill posting. As a member of the Order of Elks, 
Knights of Pj'thias and Biloxi Cemeter}- Association 
and Biloxi Yacht Club, he is an earnest worker. 




teen years, during which time he has been engaged 
in the drug business, and is widely and favorably 

known as the proprie- 
tor of the Phoenix drug 
store, one of the lead- 
ing institutions of its 
kind in Biloxi. In 1890 
Mr. Lemon was united 
in marriage to Miss 
Belle Roberts of Co- 
lumbus, Ga., to whom 
one child was born — 
Lydia. Mr. Lemon has 
faithfully served the 
city as alderman, hav- 
ing been elected from 
his ward b_v a large 
majority. He is also 
engaged in the realty 
business, to which he 
gives his personal attention, and also transacts a large 
business as notary public. Mr. Lemon has membership 
in the Knights of Pythias, Elks, Knights of Honor, 
Commercial Club and Biloxi Yacht Club. 




JAMES B. LEMON. 

The above named gentleman is one of Biloxi's most 
prosperous and successful business men. Mr. Lemon 
was born in Amite City, La., thirty-eight years ago, 
but has been a resident of this city for the past six- 



JOSEPH WILLIAM SWETMAN. 

This gentleman is properly classed among Biloxi's 
best known and substantial business men, and has large 

interests here. Mr. 
Swetman was born in 
Handsboro, Miss., on 
August 26, 1863, and 
at early age engaged 
in the railroad busi- 
ness. Through his 
natural ability he rap- 
idly worked his waj- 
up in railroad circles 
until was placed in the 
responsible position of 
a passenger train con- 
ductor, in which ca- 
pacity he served sev- 
eral years. About ten 
j'ears ago Mr. Swet- 
man located in this 
city and engaged in the drug business. From a com- 
paratively modest business he has built up a most ex- 
tensive and prosperous one, and has now one of the 
finest and best equipped drug stores in the State. He 
is also connected with several other business enter- 
prises — notably, the Electric Light Company, Biloxi 
Artesian Water Works Company, and the Peoples Bank. 
At the last annual meeting of the bank stockholders 
Mr. Swetman was elected to the honorable and responsi- 
ble position of president of that institution. In munici- 
pal affairs he always takes an active interest, and after 
having served one term as alderman was elected by a 
large majority as mayor, which position he now occu- 




THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



pies with credit to himself and honor to his friends. 
Mr. Swetman has been thrice married, the maiden name 
of his present helpmeet being- Miss Sophie Pauline 
Schumann, a most charming j-oung ladj' of this city. 
Two bright and interesting- children — Mabel Beatrice 
and Joseph W. jr., — gladden the home of Mr. and Mrs. 
Swetman. Among the fraternal orders Mr. Swetman 
is enrolled as a member of F. A. & A. M., R. A. Chap- 
ter, Commandery, L O. O. F., A. L. of H. and O. R. C. 



and paralyzed condition he has brought order and pros- 
perity. Mr. Baltar was married in 1893 to Miss Mar- 
g-aret McKenna, and to them three children have been 
born. In the management of the "Opera Saloon" Mr. 
Baltar has an able assistant in Mr. L. Fa3'ard. 



VINCENT J. OLIVARI. 

This g-entleman, although a young man, is one of 
the most prominent of Biloxi's raw 03'ster shippers, and 

his business is rapidly 
increasing- each year. 
Mr. Olivari was born 
in this city twenty- 
eight years ago and 
was educated in the 
public schools of Biloxi 
whicii are among the 
best of the State. He 
is also engaged in the 
retail liquor business, 
proprietor of the Bank 
Exchange restaur- 
ant, and a prominent 
member of the Biloxi 
Yacht Club and order 
of Elks, and takes an 
active interest in all 
that pertains to the 
advancement of those organizations. He has consider- 
able property interests in this city, and is heartily in 
favor of all public improvements. 




WILLIAM BALTAR. 

Although having resided in this community but a 
short time there is probaV)ly no man in the city who is 

more popular with 
those who know him 
than "Billy" Baltar, 
and none more deserv- 
ing of such popularity. 
Mr. Baltar is a native 
of New Orleans, where 
he was educated, and 
for many j-ears en- 
gaged in business in 
that city. Coming to 
Biloxi about one year 
ago he was within a 
few months after se- 
lected bj' the creditors 
of the "Opera Saloon" 
to take charge of that 
establishment, and the 
record he has since made demonstrates his ability as a 
business man. To a business which was in a chaotic 




T. E. COLLINS. 

The gentleman whose name precedes this sketch is 
a native of this count}-, and was born near Handsboro 

thirty-nine years ago, 
and is the senior mem- 
ber of the firm of Col- 
lins & Elmer, black- 
smiths, horseshoers 
and wheelwrights. Mr. 
Collins came to Biloxi 
in 1886 and married 
Miss Maggie L. Des- 
mond of New Orleans. 
To them have been 
born and are now liv- 
ing seven children. As 
a business man and a 
good citizen Mr. Col- 
lins is held in the high- 
est esteem by all whO' 
know him. In matters; 
connected with the fire department he has always taken 
a warm interest, and on numerous occasions has held 
offices of trust and honor. Mr. Collins is also prominent 
in the Knights of Honor, having served that order as 
dictator. 




WILLIAM GASTON HENDERSON, Jr. 

This young gentleman occupies a position in this 
city which brings him in contact with the general pub- 
lic, and with whom he 
has become quite a fa- 
vorite, by reason of his 
courteous manner and 
prompt attention to 
his duties, which are 
performed in a most 
efficient manner. Mr. 
Henderson occupies 
the responsible posi- 
tion of assistant post- 
master, which he has 
fiilled to the satisfac- 
tion of the patrons of 
the office and the gov- 
ernment for the past 
four years, and has 
just recentl}' been re- 
appointed for a like term. He was born in Handsboro. 
Mississippi, in 1875, and has been a resident of Biloxi 
for about eight years. Two years after his arrival here 
he was married to Miss Minnie L. Sterne of this city, to. 




THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



73 



whom a briylit and handsome daughter has been born. 
Mr. Henderson is an enthusiastic advocate of outdoor 
sports and is an active member of the Biloxi Yacht 

Club. 



time to business pursuits. As a fraternity man he has 
membership in the Knights of P.vthias and Elks, and 
takes an active interest in the affairs of both orders, 
and occupies the responsible office of Esquire in the 
Biloxi Lodge of Elks. 



WILLIAM J. GRANT. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Pascagoula 
on June 1**, 1875, and came to Biloxi about two years 

ago, taking charge of 
the prescription de- 
partment of Kennedy's 
drug store. About one 
year ago, on account 
of ill-health, Mr. Ken- 
nedy disposed of his 
)usiness and Dr. H. M. 
Folkes and Mr. Grant 
became the purchasers. 
As a pharmacist none 
stand higher than Mr. 
Grant, and by his cour^ 
teous and accommo- 
dating manners with 
all whom he is thrown 
in contact there is no 
young man in the cit}' 
more popular. Mr. Grant is a charter member of the 
Biloxi Yacht Club and an active and earnest member of 
the Order of Elks and Biloxi Commercial Club, and is 
at all times in full sympathy and accord with ever}' 
movement that tends to the upbuilding of Biloxi. Mr. 
Grant was married on April 1(>, 1902, to Miss Lillie 
Baltar, a most charming young lad}' of New Orleans. 




JOSEPH A. BROADUS. 

This gentleman is among the latest who have taken 
up their residence in this city. Mr. Broadus was born 

in Jackson Count. v. 
Miss., on the 25th of 
February, 1874, and in 
March, 1893, was mar- 
ried to Miss Sarah E. 
Tujague, of New Or- 
leans, and three beau- 
tiful and interesting 
children brighten their 
household. As a mem- 
ber of the State Legis- 
lative sessions of 1900 
and 1902. Mr. Broadus 
served his constituents 
1 if Jackson County with 
earnestness and ability. 
He comes from a race 
ofsturdy men who 
knowing the right have 
the courage of their conviction. Prior to his election 
as a member of the legislature Mr. Broadus devoted his 




F. POST & SON. 

The gentlemen whose names head this sketch are 
of Biloxi's most foremost jewelers and watchmakers and 
dealers in musical mer" 
chandise. F. Post, the 
senior member of the 
firm, was born in Ger- 
many in 1844, coming 
to this countr}' when 
only four years of age. 
Mr. Post married Miss 
Nanc}- Plank, whose 
father was the first 
tavern-keeper in Chi- 
cago. To Mr. Post 
and his estimable wife 
two children were born: 
Manfred and Viola. 
Post & Son have been 
in Biloxi about three 
years and have built 
up a good business in the different lines they reprc; ent. 

Manfrkd Post, the junior member of the firm, was 
born in Moulton, Iowa. Besides being engaged in the 
jewelrj- business he is also a trained optician. Mr. Post 
was married several years ago to Miss Pearl Petrie, and 
to them two children have been born — Ralph and Leslie. 




GUS HENZELENA. 
This gentleman was born in New Orleans, on May 
6, 18(>9, but has resided in this city a number of years, 
and is classed among 
Biloxi's energetic and 
progressive business 
men. He is engaged 
in the furniture and 
upholstering trade, and 
by strict attention to 
the wants of his cus- 
tomers and liberal 
methods has acquired 
a liberal patronage in 
his line. Mr. Henze- 
lena was married in 
1899 to Miss Margaret 
Gillen, one of Biloxi's 
most charming daugh- 
ters. At the call of 
his country he was 
among the first to en- 
list during tbe Span- 
ish-American war, and enjoyed the reputation of being 
a model soldier. 




74 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



CxEORGE W. GRAYSON. 

This citj' is fortunate indeed in having Mr. Gra3'- 
son located here as the agent of the L. & N. railroad. 

Courteous, accomodat- 
ing and obliging, and 
ever considerate of the 
welfare of others, Mr. 
(irayson, although 
having been located 
here only about one 
year, has made warm 
friends with all whom 
he has come in contact 
in a social and business 
way and is a most 
worthy and desirable 
citizen. Mr. Grayson 
was born at Shubuta, 
Miss., in 1870, and was 
educated by private 
tutors. For the past 
twelve years he has 
been a valued and trusted employe of the Louisville 
& Nashville Railroad Company, and previous to his 
coming to Biloxi occupied the responsible position of 
depot master and baggage agent of that corporation at 
Mobile. In 1895 Mr. Grayson was married to Miss 
Mamie Pol, a most charming and accomplished young 
lad}' of Scranton, Miss., and to the happ3' couple have 
been born two bright and handsome children — Thomas 
J. ai:d Grace — adding happiness and contentment to 
their fireside. 




JACOB TREMMEL. 

Among other model young men of this city may be 
mentioned the name of Jake Tremmel. Mr. Tremmel 

_ was born in New Or- 
leans in 1876, but has 
been a resident of this 
city for about eignteen 
years, the greater por- 
tion of which time he 
has been connected 
with the Main market 
in the meat business 
and at present with 
Swetman & Graves in 
the same line. Al- 
though Mr. Tremmel 
is exceedinglj' good 
looking and affable in 
his manner he has this 
far eluded the darts of 
Cupid and remains un- 
married. He is an enthusiastic firemen and is one of 
the charter members of Mississippi Hook and Ladder 
Compan3', filling the responsible position of treasurer of 
that organization. 




JOSEPH MURPHY. 

Among the public men of the county there are none 
better or more popularly known than Mr. Murphy, and 

none who enjoy to a 
greater extent the es- 
teem and confidence of 
the public. Mr. Mur- 
phy was born in Ala- 
bama on November 26, 
1853, but has lived in 
this county since 1859. 
Two j'ears ago he was 
elected bj- a large ma- 
jority to the ofiBce of 
county treasurer, a po- 
sition which he is now 
filling most acceptabl)' 
to his constituents and 
with credit to himself. 
In 1877 Mr. Murphy 
was happil}' married to 
Miss Harriet Lewis, of Pass Christian, and they are the 
proud parents of a most bright and interesting family, 
the oldest son, Robert L., holding the responsible posi- 
tion of court stenographer, and the next oldest, John J., 
occupying a no less responsible position as deputy clerk 
of the circuit and chancery courts. 




FELIX BORRIES. 

Numbered among other noted Biloxians who are 
successful business men of this city will be found the 
name of Felix Borries. This gentleman first saw the 
light of day in this historic citj' on J 5th day of May, 
1871, and was educated in the public schools. For the 
past sixteen j'ears he has been engaged in the retail 
meat business here, and from a modest beginning has 
multiplied his patronage and is now classed among the 
leaders in that business. Mr. Borries takes quite an 
interest in fraternal orders and is an active member of 
the Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows, Elks, Biloxi Be- 
nevolent Association and Biloxi Yacht Club. He is 
also connected with the fire department and has filled 
different offices in that organization. He is unmarried. 



JAMES KNOX HENLEY. 

Mr. Henley was born in this county in 1855, and is 
47 years of age. When quite a 3'outh he entered the 
emplo}' of the L. and N. railroad, which corporation he 
served well and faithfully for more than a quarter of a 
century. A few years ago Mr. Henley resigned his po- 
sition as agent of the company at this place, the most 
important station on the New Orleans and Mobile di- 
vision, and engaged in the life insurance business. 
Some two j'ears ago he accepted the office of chief dep- 
ut3' sheriff, which position he now holds together with 
that of county registrar of voters. In 1875 Mr. Henley 
was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Straub, of 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



75 



Pass Christian, and to the couple have been born seven 
bo3's and two girls. As a citizen and neighbor Mr. 
Henle}' is recognized among the best, and is an earnest 
advocate of any movement looking to the advancement 
of this section of the countr3-. 



THE BILOXI YACHT CLUB. 



The Biloxi Yacht Club gave its first regatta in 
August, 1900. Last July another followed, and at the 
January meeting of the club arrangements were made 
for the third annual series of races, which will be held 
some time in July. The gentlemen who conceived the 
idea that Biloxi possessed natural advantages which 
made her the chief yachting centre between Point Clear 
and New Orleans are old yachtmen and public charac- 
ters who have long been idetified with the interests of 
this city. The suggestion to bring racing boats here 
from all along the coast 
was made by T. P. Dul- 
ion, who owns several 
yachts, and he con- 
sulted with Messrs. 
John Carraway and H. 
F. Sawford. All of 
these gentlemen ase 
outdoor sportsmen, and 
are among the leading 
business men of Biloxi. 
Through their efforts 
the city sprung into 
sudden prominence as 
a yachting centre, a 
half hundred boats 
were secured for partic- 
ipation in the annual 
regattas, and the hand- 
some new club house is 
the culmination of 
their labors. Work on 
the club house was be- 
gun in July, 1902. The 

building was constructed by J. F. Barnes & Co., Green- 
ville, Miss., from plans and specifications made by the 
well known architect, Th. Brune, at a cost of $3500 It 
is built on a foundation set in ten feet of water directly 
opposite the Montross Hotel. A long pier connects the 
club house with the shore. The building consists of 
four stories. On a level with the pier are the bath 
houses, and on either side of them are galleries, leading 
from which down into the water are stairways. The 
second floor is reached by a stairway on the outside of 
the building, leading up directly from the end of the 
pier. Entering the hall, facing south, the reading room 
is on the left and the handsome ladies' parlors on the 
right. Directly behind these rooms, and extending the 
full width of the building, is the lounging room. The 
furniture is handsome in design and finish, and lends an 
air of attractiveness to the apartments. The ladies' 
parlors.are cozy places, and are provided with every con- 




Club House of The Bilori Yacht Club. 



venience. Behind the lounging room is a broad, long 
gallerv, which accommodates five hundred observer;--. 
From it one has a full view of the club's fifteen-mile 
course in the Mississiitpi sound. The third floor, when 
finished, will be devoted to billiard rooms, and the 
fourth stor}', reached by a winding stair, is the observa- 
tion tower. From it the judges, with the aid of glasses, 
have a full sweep of the sound, and can easily follow 
the movements of yachts. 

Besides the usual cash prizes, the club offers for the 
summer races of 1902 two sterling silver cups. The first, 
donated by Commodore T. P. Dulion, is for cabin sloops; 
the second, donated by J. J. Kennedy, is for cat boats 
22 feet and over. 

The Biloxi Yacht Club holds a State charter as an 
organized stock company of 150 shares at $25 per share. 
There are 110 members enrolled at the present time, 
whose annual dues are $6 each. The following officers 

of the club are now 
serving: President, 
John Carraway; vice 
president, John J. Ken- 
nedy; commodore, T. 
P. Dulion; vice com- 
modore, (t. H. Dunliar; 
rear commodore, D. A. 
Nash; secretary, H. F. 
Sawford; treasurer, 
Byrd Enochs; fleet cap- 
tain, C. E. Theoba'd; 
official measurer, W. 
L. Via. The follov/- 
ing gentlemen compose 
the board of directors: 
John Carraway, T. P. 
Dulion, A. O. Bourdon, 
John Kennedy, George 
W. Wilkes, L. Lopez, 
Sr., W. K. M. Dukate 
and H. F. Sawfoid. 
The Biloxi Yacht 
Club is a member of 
the Gulf Coast Yachting Association, which in^lu es 
New Orleans, Bay-Waveland, Gulfport, Biloxi, Ocean 
Springs, Mobile and Point Clear. 



THE BILOXI COMMERCIAL CLUB. 

This club was organized in August, 1901. It has 
for its one main object the upbuilding of the commer- 
cial interests of Biloxi, and includes in its membership 
men who are prominently identified with the city's in- 
terests. At the beginning of 1902 the club moved into 
handsomely furnished quarters adjoining the telephone 
exchange, having formerly occupied rooms in Dulion 
hall. The new headquarters are elegantly fitted up 
with all modern conveniences. A reading room is pro- 
vided for the use of the members, and business men who 
visit the city are cordially invited to make use of this 
annex. Visiting gentlemen who are not members of 



7(S 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



the club can secure cards of aflniission from the secre- 
tar_y, Mr. Chas. Isom. 

The club eschews politics of every character. Sec- 
tion (), article 6, of the constitution and by-laws, reads: 
"Kg resolution of a political or personal character, 
either local or otherwise, shall be considered at any 
meeting of this association." The sole purpose of this 
body of business and professional men is to increase the 
cit3''s resources. To do this the3' seek to bring home- 
seekers from the great North and West to Biloxi; the.v 
keep an e3'e open for the prospective manufacturer who 
is casting about for a location; thev encourage capital, 
display the cit3''s advantages, and work untiringl)', as 
unsalaried men, for our interests as a whole. 

At this writing it seems ver^- likely that the club, 
after an existence of but six months, is to realize the 
accomplishment of two labors whose results are of great 
import to the City of Biloxi. These are the securing 
of appropriations b}- the national legislative body for 
the erection of a federal 
building here and also for 
deep harbor improve- 
ments. The club has ex- 
erted every eifort for 
these tvvo ends, and sent 
representatives from its 
body to Washington to 
personally appear before 
the committes having the 
bills in charge. Before 
these lines meet the eye 
of the reader it may be 
that favorable action will 
have been taken on both 
matters, and that being 
the case, the Biloxi Com- 
mercial Club will have 
reason to know that their 
efforts have borne won- 
derful fruit in that these two vital improvements to the 
city — a customhouse and deep harbor — are of incalcula- 
ble value in our future advancement. 

The membership fee is $2.50. The annual dues of 
each active member is S12; associate members, residing 
outside of the city, $6. The personnel of the officers, 
who serve until July, l'J02, is as follows: President, L. 
Lopez, Sr.: first vice president, J. A. Hattlestad; second 
vice president, J. C. Bradford; third vice president, E- 
L. Doyle; secretary, Charles Isom; treasurer, John H. 
Miller. 

Board of Directors— L. Lopez, Sr., J. C. Bradford, 
W. K. M. Dukate, H. M. Folkes, J. J. Kennedy, J. A. 
Hattlestad, E. L. Doyle, F. W. Elmer, Wm. Gorenflo, 
John Carraway and Geo. W. Wilkes. 




The DeJean & Mitchell Co., Ship Chandlers. 



street. This building hae been constructed since the 
fire of November, 1900, and with its completion all evi- 
dences of that disaitrous conflagration are wiped awa}'. 
The architecture of the building was designed b}- 
Mr. Th. Brune of New Orleans, and his plans were car- 
ried out b\' the contracting firm of J. F. Barnes & Co., 
Greenville, Miss. Mr. Brune personally superintended 
the erection. The ouside is lined with four-inch Bed- 
ford limestone. This stone front is what characterizes 
the building and places it in the lead as a residence. A 
broad gallery, supported by heavj- colonial columns, 
leads around the front and sides of the building. The 
roof is covered with blue slate and ornamental terra 
cotta tiles. A dormer window in German rennaisance 
and a copper-covered tower render the roof construction 
most picturesque. 

A large cut glass entrance door leads into the re- 
ception hall, which connects bj* ornamental arches with 
a staircase, which forms, with parlor, librar}' and dining 

room a connecting suite 
of rooms. The lower 
story has parquette floors 
and panel work in cy- 
press. The staircase hall 
is ornamented by a large 
coloied cut glass window, 
reaching from the lower 
to the upper story, exe- 
cuted, according to most 
artistic and original de- 
signs, by the New Or- 
leans Glass and Mirror 
works. The second story 
contains six bedrooms, to 
which are attached cedar 
closets, dressing rooms, 
etc. The upper story 
is finished in cypress, 
same as lower storj'. 
The building contains all modern improvements, steam 
heaters, gas and electric light fixtures, sanitary plumb- 
ing, etc. The plumbing work was done by Martin 
Hass, Biloxi, and the factory work was furnished by 
the Biloxi Sash and Blind Factory. 



PALATIAL RESIDENCE OF L LOPEZ, SR. 

Biloxi can lay claim to manj^ palatial residences, 
and not the least among them is the handsome new 
house of L. Lopez, Sr., on Howard avenue near Reynoir 



THE DEJEAN & MITCHELL COMPANY. 

Among other business firms and enterprises in this 
city there are none more prominent than that of the 
De-Jean-Mitchell Co., under the able and efficient man- 
agement of Mr. W. O. Clark. The company is engaged 
in the wholesale and retail grocery and ship chandlery 
business, and occupies its own handsome and commo- 
dious quarters on the beach. The company has also 
large stores at Scranton and Pascagoula. The DeJean- 
Mitchell Co. first engaged in business in this city about 
one year ago, and the success of its business has been 
phenomenal from the beginning. Beside enjoying a 
large local trade, the business of the companj' is greatly 
augmented bj' the shipping trade at Ship and Horn 




NEW AND PALATIAL RESIDENCE_OF L. LOPEZ, Sk. 



78 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



Island and Gulfport. To Mr. Clark, the manag-er of 
the business here, much credit is due for the success of 
the company. Being a shrewd and careful bujer, ever 
alert to the interest of his customers, affable, courteous 
and accommodating, he enjoys an enviable popularity 
and brings business to his firm. Mr. Clark is also iden- 
tified in other business enterprises here, is a director in 
the Peoples Bank, in ever}- way thoroughly up-to-date 
and progressive, and is classed among Biloxi's best citi- 
zens and business men. 



JOHNSON'S SHIP YARDS ON BACK BAY. 

Among other amusements afforded the visitors to 
Biloxi there is probably none that offers greater at- 



iness on a more extensive scale and establish a yard, for 
the building and repair of all kinds of vessels. His well 
known skill as a designer and builder at once brought 
his yard into prominence, since which time its capacity 
is always taxed to the full limit. The yard is e(|uipped 
with all modern appliances and machinerj' and steady 
emploj'ment given twelve to eighteen men. Among the 
famous racing boats built by Mr. Johnson are the 
Tawanta. Nydia, Picayune, Irma, Jean and others. His 
business, however, is not confined to the building of 
racing craft, as the Biloxi and Sentinel, both powerful 
steam tugs, will testif3\ As a member of the Biloxi 
and Southern Yacht Clubs, Mr. Johnson takes an active 
interest in the affairs of both organizations. A visit 
to his shipyard will prove entertaining and interesting 




Johnson's Ship Yards on Back Bay, Biloxi, Miss. 



traction or entered into with more zest and enthusiasm 
than that of yachting, and in yachting circles the name 
of Mr. Johnson stands among the most prominent, not 
only as a devotee of the sport but as a builder of racing 
craft that have accjuired more than a local reputation. 
Mr. Johnson was born in this city forty-one years ago 
and has his shipyard located within a few yards of 
the spot where he first saw the light of day. For many 
years Mr. Johnson employed his idle time in building 
boats for pleasure more than as a business investment, 
but about six years ago he concluded to go into the bus- 



to the sojourner within our gates. As will be seen 
from the accompanying view Mr. Johnson has one of 
the prettiest and most picturesque locations on the 
Back Bav of Biloxi. 



Mississippi is wonderful — wonderful in the extent 
of its undeveloped resources, great variet}' of agricul- 
ture, its soil and climate; wonderful in its romantic 
history, and still more wonderful in the ever-expanding 
possibilities of its future. 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



79 



Zbc (3ulf (Toast 1Raihva\>8. 



THE LOUISVILLE & NASHVILLE. 

There is probably no one thing: that has done more 
to develop that portion of this country along: the Mexi- 
can Gulf between Mobile and New Orleans than the 
Louisville and Nashville Railroad. It has placed this 
delig:htful region, througfh its superior train service, 
within but a few hours ride of many of the principal 
cities of the north, whose pleasure-seeking- population 
is rapidl}' learning- of the manj- advantag^es to be found 
in this locality. Althoug-h this section contains sev- 
eral of the oldest settlements in the United States, it 
has onl}' been in recent years that any effort has been 
made to attract the pleasure seeker and capitalist. 
These efforts have not been in vain. Each year sees an 
increasing: number of both winter and summer visitors, 
and an increasing: amount of capital being- invested in 
different enterprises. Without an exception, the last 
census shows a ver}' 
healthy increase in all 
the towns and villag:es 
along: the Gulf. This 
increase, while rapid, 
is a natural one; due 
wholly to the opportun- 
ities offered, and not to 
any boom or one at- 
traction. With fast 
service to the west, 
north and east, both 
freig-ht and passeng-er, 
via the Louisville and 
Nashville Railroad, 
and with New Orleans 
and Mobile but a few 
miles distant, conveni- 
ent markets are provid- 
ed for the disposition of 

home products. The population of this locality is re- 
markably prog-ressive, nearly all towns having- a fine 
drainage system, local and long distance telephone ser- 
vice, numerous factories well supplied with modern ma- 
chinery, electric lights, good schools and newspapers, 
business streets paved with vitrified brick, many miles 
of shell drives, well appointed hotels and theatres, 
banks, shipyards and numerous factories for the can- 
ning of 03'sters, shrimp, crabs, fruit and vegetables. 

As a health resort this section is the equal of any 
in this country or in Europe. It has rightly been called 
the "Riviera of America," with its mild climate, blue 
skies, balmy air from the Gulf and pine forests, and its 
profusion of flowers and verdant groves. The hotels 
are nuraeroys and are, with few exception, ei|ual in ap- 
pointment to those found in any locality. The fruit- 
growing capacity of this region is without limit, 




Beach View at Biloxi, Miss. 



being grown with comparatively little effort. The out- 
look of this whole region is particularly bright, and, as 
is its customs, the Louisville and Nashville Railroad (a 
strong factor in the growth and prosperity of the south) 
will continue to give its best efforts to the development 
of this most delightful section. With several trains a 
day to New Orleans direct connections are made with 
all lines to middle and far west, and to Mexico. A ser- 
vice of two through trains a day is provided to Cincin- 
nati, Louisville, Chicago, St. Louis, New York and the 
east, with through equipment of magnificent coaches, 
Pullnran Sleeping'Cars and Dining Cars. Among other 
special features are the coast excursions which run 
Wednesdays and Sundays, in the summer season, be- 
tween New Orleans and Ocean Springs, a total distance 
of 168 miles, at the extremely low rate of one dollar 
for the round trip. The patronage given these excur- 
sions is something remarkable— vast numbers taking 
advantage of the same for a day's outing. It is often 
necessary to run these trains in three sections, and 
they are run with a positive degree of safety that 
reflects great credit on Superintendent Charles Mar- 
shall and all who are 
concerned in their 
movement. The Sun- 
day and Wednesday ex- 
cursions leave New Or- 
leans at 7 o'clock in the 
morning, and as it is a 
ver}' difficult matter to 
get breakfast at that 
hour the L. & N. man- 
agement — ever consid- 
erate for the comfort 
and convenience of its 
patrons — serves on its 
trains hot coffee at 5 
cents a cup, and pies, 
cakes and sandwiches 
at prices within the 
reach of all It is not 
the idea of the manage- 
ment to make money out of the enterprise, but simply 
to serve the convenience of its patrons. 

Visitors to the coast can utilize any of the Louis- 
ville and Nashville's northern gateways and so strike 
any point desired along the Mississippi coast without 
trouble, passing through a country that is replete with 
interest to any stranger. All that is necessary is sim- 
plv to write the general passenger agent, at Louisvile, 
Ky., or notif)"- any of the agents of the L. and N. road 
in the principal cities of the countr)^ of intended de- 
parture and the road does the rest. 



THE GULF & SHIP ISLAND RAILROAD. 



Location — The main line of the Gulf & Ship 
Island railroad, 160 miles in length, extends from Gulf- 
port, Miss., on the Mississippi Sound, Gulf of Mexico, 
0TS-ng§s^ figs, oJiveSj peaches, pear§ snd strj^yrberrie^ flprth and northwest t9 J.acksoj}, tbe State capital. A 



80 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



branch, four miles long, connects Gulfport with the 
village of Handsboro. Another branch diverges from 
the main line at Maxie, forty-four miles from Gulfport, 
and extends fortj- -eight miles to Columbia, on Pearl 
river. A third branch leaves the main road at Sara- 
toga, 111 miles from Gulfport, and fort3-nine miles 
from Jackson, and runs east fortj'-one miles to Laurel. 
The total length of the railroac", owned and operated, 
is 253 miles. 

Charter — The compan_v operates under a perpetual 
charter granted before the present State Constitution 
was adopted. In addition to all of the usual concessions 
to railwaj's, and some special ones, the compan3- has the 
important advantage of rights to the land under water 
half a mile wide extending six miles into Mississippi 



eastern railroad (Queen & Crescent Route), while both 
the Columbia branch and the Laurel branch connect 
with the New Orleans & Northeastern. At Jackson, 
its northern terminus, the Gulf & Ship Island connects 
with the Yazoo & Mississippi Valle_y railroad, and with 
the Alabama & Vicksburg railway (Queen & Crescent 
route). Still a further outlet is supplied b3' shipping 
on the Gulf of Mexico. 

Physical Characteristics — The road is of stand- 
ard guage, laid with 60 and 65 pound steel, for the for- 
mer of which 80 pound rails are now to be substituted; 
is supplied with standard numbers of ties per mile, and 
has but few bridges. Arrangements have been per- 
fected for the replacement of the present wooden bridges 
with steel; for the construction of additional side tracks; 





Gulfport, Miss., "Under a Cloud. 



Sound. Since the adoption of the new constitution no 
charter can be obtained by a railroad except one revoca- 
ble at the pleasure of the legislature. Hence, the com- 
pany's charter is of itself a valuable asset. 

Not a New Enterprise — The company was char- 
tered in 1882, and the line from Gulfport to Hatties- 
burg was opened for business January- 1, 1897. The 
extension from Hattiesburg through to Jackson has 
been operated since Jul}% 1900, and the Columbia and 
Laurel branches since September, 1900. 

Connections — Exceptional facilities are afforded by 
the compan}''s rail connections for the interchange of 
trafiBc. Gulfport, the southern terminus, is situated on 
the main line of the Louisville & Nashville railroad. 
At Hattiesburg, seventy miles north of Gulfport, the 
Gulf & Ship Island intersects the New Orleans & North- 



for the widening of cuts and embankments where desir- 
able, and for additional ballasting. These improve- 
ments will be made gradually over a period of the next 
two or three years. The station buildings, machine 
shops, water tanks, coal chutes, telegraph lines, etc., 
are sufficient and are properly maintained. The com- 
pany owns the necessary right of wav, has commodious 
terminals at Gulfport and 3'ard room at Hattiesburg, 
and is accorded the use of a convenient part of the Illi- 
nois Central yard for terminals at Jackson. 

Equipment — The present equipment includes 27 lo- 
comotives, 375 flat cars, 42 box cars, 20 ballast cars, 12 
cabooses, 17 passenger cars, 3 combination baggage and 
mail cars, 1 official car, and 24 camp cars. Provision 
has been made for four additional locomotives, four 
hundred 80,000-pound fiat cars, and one hundred 80,000- 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



81 



pound box cars. The rolling: stock is maintained in 
g-ood serviceable condition. 

GuLFPORT Harbor aed Terminals — Mississippi 
heretofore has had no deep water harbor. The natural 
depth of Mississippi Sound for a long- distance off shore 
is only from six to twelve feet, but about twelve miles 
south of Gulfport lies the well known Ship Island, un- 
der the lee of which, within the sound, is the anchorage 
called Ship Island Harbor, with twent)--six feet of wa- 
ter over the bar. In Ship Island Harbor Admiral Paken- 
ham of the British Navy anchored his fleet when he 
beseig-ed New Orleans in 1812, and there Admiral Far- 
ragfut anchored when he beseiged New Orleans in 1863. 
To this harbor ships have come for many years to ob- 
tain cargoes, which have to be lightered out from the 
mainland. In order to overcome the disadvantages and 
the expense of loading ships at 
anchor at this distance off shore, 
the owners of the Gulf & Ship 
Island Railroad are under con- 
tract with the United States gov- 
ernment to dredge a channel ex- 
tending from Gulfport to deep 
water, about six miles, which 
channel is to be 300 feet wide and 
twenty feet deep. One-half of 
the channel is completed, and it 
is expected that the entire work 
will be finished during this year. 
An anchorage basin of the depth 
of the channel and one-quarter 
by one-half mile wide in area is 
in course of construction at the 
shore end. Meanwhile the com- 
pany is constructing at Gulfport 
an extensive system of piers and 
docks. The main pier, already 
well advanced, is about one mile 
long. All of the important fea- 
tures of the lumber and other 
wharves of Savannah and Pensa- 
cola for the loading of ships ex- 
peditiousl}' and economicallv will 
be embodied in its construction. 
A part of the pier has been in actual use for some time 
for the transfer of lumber from cars to lighters. It is 
supplied with an automatic steam crane by means of 
which lumber is transferred from the cars to barges, a 
carload at a time. As an engineering project the chan- 
nel and harbor are commended by the government en- 
gineers. The new harbor is well protected from the 
open gulf by Ship Island and other small islands ex- 
tending east and west fora number of miles. Sailing 
vessels of considerable tonnage have recentlv been 
loadedandunloaded direct at the pier, carrying cargoes 
of lumber up to 700,000 feet out to deep water. The 
Italian ship Trojan, a view of which is shown herewith, 
left the Gulfport docks drawing sixteen feet. 

Comparison With Other Ports — Gulfport is lo- 
cated midway between New Orleans and Mobile. It 




Italian Ship "Troj.\n 
At Gulfport Pier. 



can be reached from the Gulf of Mexico by sailing ves. 
sels a day sooner than the port of Mobile can be reached, 
and two days sooner than the port of New Orleans, and 
by steamships some hours quicker. Immediately on 
completion of the harbor a large export and coastwise 
business in lumber, naval stores, grain and cotton is 
expected to develop, also a considerable import business 
in tropical fruits and merchandise. 

Healthful Country — That part of Mississippi in 
which the lines of the Gulf & Ship Island Railroad are 
situated is exceptionally healthful. Contrary to im- 
pressions sometimes vaguely held in the north, the 
country is comparatively high and is free from swamps. 
Gulfport stands from twenty to twenty-five feet above 
sea level. From this point the ground rises gradually 
until in the neighborhood of Jackson the height above 
the sea is about 420 feet. The 
country is rolling, well supplied 
with water and admirably adapt- 
ed to farming and manufactur- 
ing. 

Products of the Country. 
— In the seven counties traversed 
by the line is situated one of the 
finest bodies of long leaf yellow 
pine timber still remaining un- 
cut. Lumbering operations are 
in progress actively on a larger 
or smaller scale at almost every 
station on the road. At the 
same time naval stores are pro- 
duced in large quantities. The 
combined actual output of the 
lumber mills on the line of rail- 
road is upwards of 300,000,000 
feet per annum, and the com- 
bined output of naval stores for 
the latest year reported was 
22,100 barrels of turpentine, and 
122,700 barrels of rosin. There 
are eighty lumber manufactories 
on the line of the road. During 
1901 new industries were estab- 
lished along the line represent- 
ing a total eapital of Sl,5%,500. 

Manufactories— Numerous cotton gins, cotton 
presses and cotton seed oil mills are in operation along 
the line A 10,000 spindle cotton factory of modern 
construction has just begun operation at Laurel. Sev- 
eral brick yards are in operation and at Hattiesburg 
and Jackson are iron foundries. 

Cities and Towns on the Line— Jackson, the 
capital of Mississippi, the largest place on the line, and 
a city of modern improvements, has, including its sub- 
urbs, between 10,000 and 15,000 inhabitants. The pop- 
ulation of Hattiesburg is about 5,000, of Laurel 5,000 
and of Gulfport 2,000. Several towns of 1,200 to 1,500 
population have grown up in the past two years. All 
of the cities and towns afford every evidence of thrift 
and permanence. 



82 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



MRS. MARY ELIZABETH JOYCE. 

Mrs. Mar}' Elizabeth Jo3'ce was born in the Parish 
of Assumption, La., Auj^ust 1, 1859. Her maiden name 
was Marj' E. Fatherree. Three years ago the family, 

consistingf, besides hus- 
band and wife, of three 
sons and one daughter, 
removed to Gulfiiort, 
where Mr. Joyce cm- 
barked in the mercan- 
tile business. A year 
later he died, and Mrs. 
Joyce succeeded to the 
management of the 
house, which is at i)res- 
ent one of the leading 
establishments of its 
kind in the city. The 
names of Mrs. Joyce's 
children are Lawrence, 
\'ernon. Henry and 
Elizabeth. One of the 
sons is in college and 
another is a bank clerk. Mrs. Joyce is an indefatigable 
worker in ciurch and charitable affairs. She is an earn- 
est advocate of the cause of temperance, and organized 
the Gulfport branch of the W. C. T. U. Her high per- 
sonal standing in the community is equalled only by the 
reputation of her business house for strictly fair deal n'^. 



the management of the hotel, and her presence in the 
lobby and dining rooms gives a home-like appearance to 
the establishment. 




SELLY SIMONSON. 

Selly Simonson, the veteran hotel man of Cjulfi)ort, 
is a native German, being born in Berlin, January 3, 
1863. His parents came to America when he was si.x 
years old. His wife was born in New Orleans, and be- 
fore marriage was Miss Annette Israel. Six years ago 
Mr. Simonson removed to Gulfport and entered the hotel 
business. His establishment, the "Metropolitan," is 
the leading house in the city, and ranks among the best 
along the coast. The remarkable success of the Met- 
ropolitan is due in the main, of course, to its up-to-date 
service and excellent cuisine. But custom is attracted 
by the genial nature and good fellowship of the pro- 
prietor. His bonhomie is infectious, and the drummer, 
the merchant, the professional man — all seek Mr. Sim- 
onson's hostelry, because the companionableness of its 
head and chief spirit is very rare in these days of rush 
and bustle. Mrs. Simonson ably assists her husband in 



JESSE R. KELLY. 

Mr. Kelly was born at Newton, Miss., February 7, 
1870, and married Mis^ Lillian Piatt October 31, l')00. 
He is a mem'ier of the Sni'^ht^ of Pythias, Knights of 
Honor an'l Wjodmen of the World. He came to (iulf- 




port in 1896, and was connected with the Gulf & Ship 
Island railroad eight months. Since that time he has 
been merchandising, and has prospered in his business. 
Mr. Kelly is one of the substantial man of Gulfport and 
is a good acquisition to our county. 



WALTER T. BOLTON. 



Among the physicians of this city there are none 
who enjoy the confidence of the community to a greater 
extent than Dr. W. T. Bolton, and none who have a 
larger practice. Skillful, scientific and resourceful, and 
with a thorough knowledge of his profession, his ser- 
vices are alwaj's in demand, and there are none so poor 
that he will not attend and give his best attention. Dr. 
Bolton was born in Newton Countv, Miss., on Sept. 9, 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



S3 



1850, and has resided in Biloxi about ten ^ears, and a 
few 3'ears after taking up his residence here was married 
to Miss Olivia H. Sones, of Brookhaven, Miss. To the 
doctor and his most estimable wife three children have 
been born — Walter T., Cornelia Justina and Olivia 
Sones. Aside from his professional interests Dr. Bolton 
is engaged in other enterprises and has just completed 
one of the handsomest two-story brick business struc- 
tures in the South. The new building cost about $10,000 
and is located on Howard avenue, just opposite Dukate's 
handsome theatre build- 
ing. The first floor is oc- 
cupied by two mercantile 
firms, while the second 
floor is used as offices and 
headquarters of the Con- 
cord Club. Dr. Bolton is 
a "jiner" in every sense 
of the word, being a 
member of the Masons, 
Odd Fellows, K. of P., 
Essenic Knights, K. of 
H., Woodmen, Elks, Mis- 
sissippi State Medical 
Association, Louisiana 
Medical Societv, and Gulf 
Coast Medical and Surgi- 
cal Society. He is at 
present city health offi- 
cer, a position which he 
has held for the past five 
years and has also served 
the county in the same 
capacity for eight j'ears. 
Dr. Bolton graduated 
from the Louisville Col- 
lege and also attended 
the Tulane University of 
Louisiana. 




Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama and Florida, and their 
force of ten traveling men cover these states. 

Mr. Valloft, the president of the company, has 
spent the best part of his life in this line of business, 
having been connected with the old firm of Augustus 
Craft & Co. He is a prominent member of the Trav- 
elers' Protective Association and other organizations. 

Mr. Dreux, the vice-president of the company, has 
also been connected with the tobacco business for a 
number of years, and is one of the most popular sales- 
men in the south. He is 
also a prominent member 
of the Travelers' Protect- 
ive Association and other 
orders. Mr. Querens, the 
secretary and treasurer of 
the company, has also 
been in the tobacco busi- 
ness for a number of 
years, having been con- 
nected with the old firm 
of Wackerbarth& Joseph. 
He too is a member of 
several orders, including 
the Knights of Pythias. 
These young men are all 
experienced in the to- 
bacco business, and their 
customers can rest as- 
sured that their orders 
will have prompt atten- 
tion at their hands. 



The Bolton Block, Biloxi, Miss. 



SOUTHERN TOBACCO COMPANY, LIMITED. 



I^apid Growth of One of the Most Successful Enterprises of 
Kind in the South. 



Its 



The Southern Tobacco Company, Limited, was or- 
ganized in 1899, with the following named officers : 
Louis Ed. Valloft, president and general manager; 
Charles A. Dreaux, vice-president, and F. Ouerens, sec- 
retary and treasurer. 

Trade annals contain many remarkalile instances of 
rapid growth on the part of new concerns which have 
ample capital and enterprising men behind them. The 
sudden rise of the above company is the case in point, 
and thej' are now recognized as the leoders in this terri- 
tory. They handle tobacco in all of the shapes, sizes 
and styles that are used in the Southern States. They 
have quite a run of trade in the States of Louisiana, 



The cattle growing 
industry is certain to be- 
come an important one in 
the lower South. Impor- 
tant steps are already being taken in this direction with 
remarkable success. The introduction of sterling beef 
stock, the plentitude of good water, the abundance of 
rich grasses, and the brief winter season, when, for best 
results, cattle should be fed, combine to make the fu- 
ture of the cattle business on the gnlf coast one of great 
promise. Land is remarkably cheap in cost today, and 
those who embark in the cattle business now are cer- 
tain to reap large returns. A strong market exists, 
cattle thrive; all that is needed is prudence, good judg- 
ment, intelligence, forethought, and success is certain. 



The Northern farmer gets one crop a year. He 
must feed himself and stock for at least six months of 
the twelve, during which period nothing can be grown. 
The farmer of the Central South and Gulf Coast region 
•not only can grow, with profit, one, two and even three 
crops from the same land in a single year, but is not 
required to feed his stock above two months out of the 
twelve. In other words it is three crops to one in favor 
of the South. 



AUTHENTIC FACTS AND RELIABLE FIGURES ABOUT A PROGRESSIVE CITY. 



DEVELOPMENT OF 
INDUSTRIAL STAR 
OF MISSISSIPPI 



LAUREL 



A REMARKABLE 
RECORD OF RAPID 
ADVANCEMENT 



INFORMATION OF IMPORTANCE TO BON A FIDE IN VEST OR S AND HOMESEEKERS. 



Laurel is situated in Jones count}-, Mississippi, on 
the main line of the New Orleans & Northeastern rail- 
road (a part of the Queen & Crescent system) 138 miles 
north of New Orleans and 56 miles south of Meridian. 
The Saratoga branch of the Gulf & Ship Island rail- 
road terminates in Laurel, with a connection south to 
Ellisville in the Ellisville & Laurel railroad, now being- 
built. The G. & S. I. affords direct connection with 
the Illinois Central at Jackson, Miss., and is in a sense 
a feeder of that great trunk line, although under sepa- 
rate ownerships At its southern terminus the G. & S. I. 
connects with the great Louisville & Nashville rail- 



Laurel, which, if built will undoubted!}' add its strength 
to make this cit_v one of the greatest railroad centers in 
the .south. 

The transformation from an obscure village of 100 
to a thriving cit)' of 6,000 in less than ten j'ears, with- 
out a boom or pretense of a boom; the causes for this 
marvelous growth, and the outlook for a proportionate 
continuation of its industrial development, form the 
storj- to which these pages of this paper are devoted. 
No exaggeration, no word-painting, no high-flown 
phrases nor overdrawn descriptions are necessarj' to 
give color to this narrative. The facts, figures and 




PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL, LAUREL, MISS. 



wa.v S3-stcm. The Mobile, Jackson & Kansas City rail- 
road, now being built to Laurel, al sorbs the Kingston 
& Central Mississippi railroad, which has been in oper- 
ation for some time and has 14 miles of main line 
track. 

Another road is projected from Memphis, Tenn., to 
connect with the Kingston & Central Mississippi rail- 
road, which will undoubtedly be built. And still an- 
other is projected — the Pascagoula & Northern — a pre- 
liminary survey of which has already been made from 
Pascagoula, Mississippi, to a point on the New Or- 
leans & Northeastern, some seven miles soiith of 



photographic reprodvictions are certainly sufficient to 
absolutely convince an intelligent reader of the truth of 
what may well be called "the wonderful story of 
Laurel." 

After the advent of the New Orleans & Northeast- 
ern railroad in 1882, Laurel's first mercantile enterprise 
— a small store owned by a Mr. Dandridge — was opened 
for business, and within a short time a Mr. Matthews 
also opened a store. Both dealt in farm supplies, and 
$150 would have covered the cost probablj' of either 
stock. 

The land which has since become the town site was 




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86 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



then the property of Reuben Creel. After his death M. 
P. Bush purchased a portion of the land, and later sold 
a part of his holdings to Taplej' Dunigan. The Creel 
estate and Messrs. Dunigfan and Bush had the land 
platted, and began to dispose of the lots in the early 
'80s. For several years the lots had little value, for 
Laurel did not thrive at first. The few residents had 
at that time no inkling- of the progress which the near 
future was to witness. There were a couple of small 
saw mills along the railroad, one at the site now used 
by Eastman, Gardiner & Co.'s mammoth enterprise, and 
the other where the Kingston Lumber Company's mag- 
nificent plant is situated. From these small beginnings 
have come the present immense lumber manufacturing 
enterprises. 

There is no cloud on the titles of Laurel proi)erty. 



TRADES. PER DIEM. 

Laborers $ 1 00 to S 1 50 

Carpenter 5 1 50 to 2 50 

Bricklayers 3 50 to 4 00 

Saw mill hands -. . . 1 50 to 4 00 

Cotton mill operatives Piece work. 

Knitting mill operatives Piece work. 

Mercantile clerks, per month $40 00 to 60 00 

Bookkeepers and stenographers, per mo 50 00 to 150 00 

A conservative estimate of the male wage-earners 
in Laurel would be 3,500. The great majority of these 
men are here without their families, for whom at pres" 
ent there is not sufficient rental property. After houses 
are built and conditions become normal, is it not reason- 
able to expect an average of four to a famil}-? The 
usual estimate, proven correct in numerous cities, is five 
to the family. In this case, counting but four, Laurel 




iiA^\i\ KJ. J^ALKi!vL, LA^KiiL, -MiSS. 



abstracts reading directly back to the United States. 
Laurel was incorporated in 1S40, the first meeting of the 
town board being held on April 1 of that year. The al- 
dermen were F. S. Kellv, T. J. Dunigan, C. W. Ethe- 
ridge and A. J. Dabbs. J. C. Bvrd was mayor, and the 
marshal was J. M. Guy. 

Situated in Southeast Mississippi, with a location 
commanding the trade of a large, fertile and prosperous 
territory, possessed of excellent shipping facilities, and 
convenient to the large wholesale markets, the Laurel 
merchant has manifold advantages over less favored lo- 
calities. Here is a cit}' with a population of easily 
6,500, two-thirds of which is in receipt of day wages. 
Wages are excellent and the following table shows the 
rate cheerfull}' paid: 



can justly expect a population of at least 14,000 from its 
wage-earners alone. New industries are being estab- 
lished almost monthly, and the wage-earning popula- 
tion is on the steady increase. 

Laurel is some three hundred feet above sea level, 
and is situated in a forest country, which is both high 
and undulating. 

. Laurel is a manufacturing city, embracing some of 
the finest industries of their respective classes to be 
found either in the north or south. It has a population 
of some 6,500 souls, quite a number of whom are north- 
ern immigrants who brought not only capital with 
them but push, energy and business tact. They found 
a responsive spirit in the breasts and minds of the Mis- 
sissippians to the manor born among whom they cast 
their lot. The combination wasmore forceful than the 




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THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



magician's wand and more effective than imagination 
could picture. It proved to be the germ of a manufac- 
turing cit)', which has but few equals, if an}', in the 
south, population considered. 

The site of Laurel is just undulating sufficient to 
afford a natural drainage for the main portion of the city. 

In point of educational and religious facilities Lau- 
rel is abreast with this progressive age. The educable 
children of the cit)' are provided with six large and com- 
fortable school buildings — four for white children and 
two for colored — and the best educators obtainable are 
emplo3'cd to instruct them. The high school building 
was erected at a cost of $10,000, and is one of the finest 
structures of its class in the state. An addi tional school 
building for white children is about to be built. 

The spiritual welfare of mankind is well provided 



is constantly adding thereto and inviting the location 
of others. 

She has a large cotton mill which began operations 
during the summer of l'M)l with 10,000 spindles and 320 
looms, but since that time has been forced to double its 
loom capacity in order to meet the demand for its pro- 
duct, and exports a I'ortion of its cloth direct to China. 

The Standard Arm and Pin company, manufactur- 
ers of cross arms, brackets and pins for telegraph and 
telephone poles, has recently located a plant here, the 
output being two car loads per da}' of cross arms, brack- 
ets and pins. They have orders ahead for five years at 
the rate of one car per day. 

The Laurel Chronicle, from which we gather much 
data for this article, is an up-to-date newsi>aper, with a 
first-class job department, that would do credit to many 



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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 



for, there being ten churches — Presbyterian. Baptist, 
Methodist, Episcopal, Christian and Catholic, white, 
and Baptist and Methodist, colored. 

Quite a number of magnificent brick business houses 
adorn the city, and their occupants have the appearance 
of being prosperou'^, while some of the stocks of goo Is 
carried would do honor to either New Orleans or Me- 
ridian. 

The country surrounding Laurel is fertile and sus- 
ceptible to a high state of cultivation. Here small 
farmers can find excellent locations for truck farming, 
and the superb transportation facilities make the mar- 
kets of easy access. 

Laurel has seventy or eighty business houses and in 
industries she leads southern cities of many times her 
population.in her number of industrial plants, and she 



a more pretentious ^ity. It is edited and managed by 
Mr. Albert W. Nolile, and there is no gainsaving thj 
fnct that The Chronicle has been a most potent factor 
in the upbuilding of the city. 

The Laurel Ledger, edited by W. L. Pryor, is a 
handsome lf)-page weekly, printed on brok paper and 
usually illustrate<l. The I^edger while in its first vol- 
ume is evidently firmly entrenched, and already nears a 
circulation of 1000. It has be.'n pronounced the nicst 
attractively printed weeklj- paper in the State. 

Five fraternal and benevolent organizations have 
lodgement here — Mason,, Oil F.^'lows, Kiights of 
Pythias, Woodmen of the World and the Order of Co- 
lumbus — and all are prosperous and are composed of as 
good citizenship as can be found in the state. 

Here you will find a complete system of water- 




INTERIOR VIEWS OF A MODERN HOME, I^AUREIy, MISS. 



90 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



works, electric light plant and an Al telephone system. 

The sawmilling industrj^ here is of much magni- 
tude. The firm of Eastman, Gardner & Co. have a paid 
up capital of S400.000, and their annual product 
amounts to 60,000,000 feet. The Kingston Lumber Co. 
with a capital of §150,000, 'has an output of 20,000,000 
ftet per annum. With a capital of 850,000, the annual 
output of the Laurel Lumber Co. is 10,000,000 feet. 
With these figures before you it is easy to realize that 
these three sawmill plants above utilize an enormous 
amount of timber each twelve months. 

There are also two planing mills with a capacity of 
300,000 feet per day. 

The city will soon have a fine up-to-date sewerage 
system, the only thing needed for perfect health condi- 
tions. 



Or if you want to take a drive, either of the two 
livery stables will furnish you with a nice turnout and a 
spanking team on short notice. 

Aside from the industries alread}- mentioned, Lau- 
rel has a Brick and Tile Factory. Knitting Mills, Com- 
press, Wagon Factory, two Machine Shops, Steam 
Bakery, Rope Factory, Bottling Works, Broom Factory, 
Iron and Brass Foundry, and a Washboard Factory, 
to sa_y nothing of the blacksmith shops and other small 
industries scattered throughout the city. 

Laurel has her full <iuota of lawyers and physicians. 

of whom are able practitioners in their professions. 

The raw material at the disposal of manufacturers 
udes: Cotton, Wool, Clay. 

Timber -Long leaf yellow pine, cypress, black, 
sweet and Tupelo gum, several varieties of oak, magno- 



all 



incl 




LATJREC LUMBER COMPANY AND ICE FACTORY. 



The city is provided with an ice factory which 
manufactures ice from pure artesian water, and its pro- 
duct is in much demand in neighboring towns and vil- 
lages as well as at home. 

In a financial way Laurel is provided with two as 
solid banking institutions as there are in Mississippi — 
the Bank of Laurel and the Peoples Bank. The former 
is capitalized at $60,000 and has a surplus of $15,000. 
The authorized capital of the Peoples Bank is $50,000, 
and it is doing a volume of business that would do credit 
to the much larger financial institutions of the countr)-. 

An oil and fertilizer company, with a capital of 
$50,000, is doing a lucrative business, and each succeed- 
ing year calls for an increased output. 

If you are weary or hungry you will find three ex- 
cellent hotels here where you can secure accommoda- 
tions at moderate rates. 



lia, birch, beech, hickory, poplar, cherry, etc. 

There is an opening here in the manufacture of all 
the materials listed above. Certainly a barrel factory, 
a handle factory, a spoke factory, a wagon factor}- and 
custom planing mills would pa^-. So would a fruit and 
vegetable canning factor)' and a creamer)', for the lands 
nearby are adapted to fruit and vegetable raising and 
stock thrives here. Other chances exist, such as one or 
more small cigar factories, a steam laundr)' or marble 
works, which would pay experienced men from the start 
and require but little capital. 

Space forbids, or else this article could be contin- 
ued indefinitely in extolling the many advantages of 
this young but already great industrial city, but a visit 
to Laurel will convince the most skeptical that neither 
deception or flattery has been indulged in in this write- 
up of Mississippi's coming industrial center. 




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THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



The following according to Cit}- Tax Assessor 
Dail.v, is the assessed value of property in Laurel: 

Real estate SS?.'^ 512 

Pensonal property 532 344 

Total SI 105 856 

This is an increase over last year of S1S0,812. A 
number of people have put low estimates on their prop- 
erty, and this assessment may be increased by the ex- 
aminers. 

About a year ago there was more or less oil excite- 
ment in Laurel, and options on oil-bearing lands recured. 
The Standard Oil company sent a representative, who 
got options on everything in sight. 

Since then no active work has been done and some 
of these options expired a few days ago. 

A responsible Laurel business man, with all neces- 
sary backing from New Orleans capital, has secured 
man}' of these options, and part of the machiner}- for 
drilling is in the city. Arrangements are being made 
with an oil-boring contractor and work will soon be be- 
gun on well. Its estimated cost is about S3, 000. 

The existence of this petroleum has been known for 
the last thirty-five years. A spring oozing out from 
under a rock is strongly impregnated with the oil, and 
there are other clear indications. 

The parties who are making the investment in the 
property and its development have worked in secrecy for 
some time. 

It has been learned that a land buyer of Eastman, 
Gardner & Co., purchased the tract of land where the 
oil was discovered a few days ago. 



DENSON TRADING CO. 



WHOLESALE AND RETAIL MERCHANTS AND NAVAL STORES, 
LAUREL, MISS. 

This firm was formed on March 19, 1901, by a con- 
solidation of the mercantile interests of L. L. Denson, 
of Bay Springs, T. A. Massey & Co. of So So, and the 
Kingston Lumber Co., store at this point. They carrj' 
mammoth stocks of all lines of general merchandise, 
bu3' in jobbing quantities and will shortly add a whole- 
sale department to their business. They have recently 
established two commissary stores on the K. & CM. 
Railway and will add more as the construction of the 
road advances. They also own the right on 25,000 
acres of land which will be used to manufacture turpen- 
tine and naval stores. Thej' are also the owners of a 
fine lithia spring at Bay Springs, on the line of the 
K. & C. M. Railway, which place, upon the completion 
of the railwaj', will be converted into a health resort. 
Near this place they own a quarry, whose product will 
be opened to the markets of the world. The officers of 
the company are : L. L. Denson, president and general 
manager ; T. G. McCallum, vice-president ; T. A. Mas- 
sey, secretary and assistant manager. 





Soutb flRississippi Xumber flftills 



EASTMAN, GARDINER & CO., LAUREL. 

In the winter of 1890, Mr. Geo. S. Gardiner, Silas 
W. Gardiner and C. S. Eastman made a trip from Clin- 
ton, la., down the Illinois Central through Mississippi, 
stopping: at Brookhaven, Bogue Chitto, Magnolia and 
several other points, to investigate timber lands and 
manufacturing conditions. Not finding a satisfactory' 
opening, another trip was made later b}' Geo. S. Gardi- 
ner, in company with his father, S. B. Gardiner, to 
Laurel. 

The result of this visit was that in February, 1891, 
was consummated the deal b.v which Eastman, Gardiner 
& Co., purchased from John Kamper, at Laurel, his saw 




Mr. Geo. S. Gardiner reached Laurel in the latter 
part of the year 1891, and soon perfected plans for a new 
mill, planer, dry kilns and other things necessary to a 
complete modern plant. Considerable time was con- 
sumed in construction, and it was not until April 1, 
1893, that the new mill was started. For a while, lum- 
ber was hauled to the old planer to be dressed. By the 
1st of February, 1894, however, the new planer was 
complete, and also dry kilns, lumber sheds, etc., until 
there stood as toda}' a plant, which saws and markets 
each year 60,000,000 feet of long leaf yellow pine. 

In addition to the perfection of these manufactur- 
ing facilities, the timber holdings have been increased 




Steam Log Loader — One of Sevekal Used by Eastman, Gardiner & Co. 



mill and timber holding. Though modest in those days, 
this purchase was foundation sufficient upon which to 
rear the magnificent plant of Eastman, Gardiner & Co., 
as complete and modern in all its details as the practical 
experience of years could devise. 

In 1891 Chas. S. Eastman came south from Iowa to 
take charge of the office work. Sawing in the old mill — 
that purchased from Mr. Kamper — was continued, the 
logs being hauled in from the woods over a tram road, 
built with sapling pines, and by an engine whose drive 
wheels had broad, concave tires to conform to the rails 
above mentioned. 

This private outfit and method of logging was, 
however, soon displaced by a modern standard gauge 
railway, locomotive and logging cars. 



to about 200,000 acres in 1891. The plant in its entire- 
t}' covers about forty-five acres, including pond, with a 
capacity of 2,000,000 feet of logs, which is always kept 
full b}' the logging department of the company, of 
which more will be found later on. 

The saw mill running day and night, has a capacity 
of 175,000 feet of lumber, and is equipped with all the 
most modern machinery used in the manufacture of 
lumber, consisting of a band and large gang saw. In 
addition to this there has just been installed a complete 
new lath mill with a capacity of 50,000 feet, and a 
shingle mill with a like capacity per day. Leaving the 
saw mill the lumber is distributed to the yards and dry 
kilns, there being five large brick kilns just erected, 
40x110 feet, where the lumber is thoroughly dried, pre- 




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96 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



paratory to storage in the large sheds built for that 
purpose, and with a storage capacity of over 4,000,000 
feet. 

From here it is taken to the planer to be dressed, 
and manufactured into siding, ceiling, flooring and 
other grades of finishing lumber. 

The planing mill is equipped with eighteen ma- 
chines, including a new band re-saw and surfacer, and 
has a capacity of 200,000 feet dail3\ Loading sheds 
with a capacity for loading twenty-five cars per da.v, 
are situated between the side tracks of two railroads, 
the facilities for handling with dispatch large amounts 
of material being most favorable. 

The logging department of this company is un- 
doubtedly one of the best and most complete in the 



As the camps are eight and ten miles from town, 
for the convenience of those working, a commisarj- in 
cars is run, in which a full and complete line of general 
merchandise, such as would be found in a large estab- 
lishment is carried. 

Eastman, Gardiner & Co. make a specialty of what 
is termed stock stuffs, that is, siding, ceiling, flooring, 
base, casing, mouldings, tail lumber yard, and they 
cater to the general retail trade of the country, their 
market being largely in the Northern States from Kan- 
sas to New England. 

From the Laurel Chronicle's special edition we re- 
produce the following, in reference to the Eastman, 
Gardiner Company: 

Twentj'-three buildings are used in the operation of 




A LOGGING TKAIN. 



south. Under the able supervision of Mr. M. W. Wood- 
bury, it has been brought to a stage of perfection 
equalled bj- few, if any. 

Here over 300 men are employed in various capaci- 
ties of sawing, loading and hauling the logs to mill. 
The company, to accommodate these employes, has 
built small houses, for those men who are married, and 
they are built in such a manner that when it becomes 
necessary to move camp, thej' can be loaded, effects and 
all on to the logging cars. 

For those who are not married there is what is 
known as the "'Boarding Cars," fitted up with ever3' con- 
venience, and at which a meal, as good as served bj^ a 
hotel, is furnished, everything being of the best in the 
matter of cuisine, and is a model of cleanliness and neat- 
ness. 



the plant, exclusive of the company's offices. These in- 
clude two sawmills, one machine shop, one locomotive 
and car house, one pump house, one boiler and engine 
house, five double brick dry kilns, one grading shed, one 
electric light house. 

The equipment includes, beside the sawmill, a large 
planer, lath and shingle mill, dr)' kilns, etc. A new 
band mill and a 48 inch Wickes gang saw have just been 
installed. Ever)' necessity for the proper dressing of 
lumber on an unusuallj^ large scale is possessed. East- 
man, Gardiner & Co. operate their own water works, 
obtaining a suppl}^ of pure water from two artesian wells 
on their own grounds. Two pumps with a dail)' capac- 
it}'- of 2,000,000 gallons of water are used. A stand pipe 
ten feet in diameter by 100 feet in height furnishes di- 
rect pressure and is kept constantly full for general use. 



98 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



In addition, direct pumping; connection can be made 
with the pond in emerg-enc.v cases, which would furnish 
an inexhaustible supply of water for fire purposes. This 
water works equipment is in direct connection with Lau- 
rel's municipal system, and should occasion arise the 
power of Eastman, Gardiner & Co. can supplement that 
furnished by the city. 

Another feature is the electric plant, which supplies 
lig-ht entirely sufficient for night operations. The com- 
pany also maintains its own machine shops, makes its 
own repairs and is able to keep up its e(iuipment at a 
minimum of inconvenience and expense. 

The method of handling: lumber has been so sys- 
tematized that after the boards leave the saw they are 
convej'ed to the different finishing: departments with 



railed timber road originally used by Kamper. The 
log-g-ing- department is conducted with the same 
attention to detail that characterizes the plant itself, 
and in point of efficiency and comfort for employes is 
undoubtedly one of the best in the south. Over 300 
men are employed in the camps, many of whom are mar- 
ried. 

There is a camp drug- store; a physician and sur- 
geon is employed by the year; school facilities are 
provided employes' children, a renovated coach being 
utilized for a portable school house, and the teacher 
is employed by the company. The moral welfare of 
these children is not neglected, and a flourishing Sun- 
day-school exists; church services are held. In fact, 
fhe employes of the company located at this logging 



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VIEW IN EASTMAN, GARDINER & CO.'S LOGGING CAMP. 



yery little handling, being constantly on a down grade 
throughout the transit. 

The plant now has a capacity of 60,000,000 feet of 
lumber annually. From 3,500 to 3,600 cars of lumber 
are loaded on its side tracks every year. jThe payroll 
for 1901 reached an average of over $23,000 per month. 
As the plant is operated day and night, two complete 
shifts of men are required. 

LOGGING FACILITIES. 

Eastman, Gardiner & Co., own over 175,000 acres 
of long leaf j'ellow pine timber; this tapped by a 
standard gauge railroad equipped with modern log cars, 
six locomotives and three steam log loaders. The rail- 
road was built bj' the company in place of a wooden- 



camp really enjoy all the privileges and benefits obtain- 
able in a permanent town. 



KINGSTON LUMBER COMPANY. 

The Kingston Lumber Company is a New Hamp- 
shire corporation, the capital stock being $450,000. It 
is domiciled at Laurel, Miss., the beautiful and pros- 
perous city of central east South Mississippi, on the line 
of the New Orleans & Northeastern Railroad and the 
eastern terminus of the Laurel branch of the Gulf & 
Ship Island Railroad, thus affording excellent shipping 
facilities. 

This company owns and controls some 50,000 acres 
of timbered land and manufactures 30,000,000 feet of 



THE BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



99 



lumber per }'ear, using both circular and g-ang saws in 
their mill. They have dr3- kiln and planing mill facili- 
ties ample to take the entire output, 90 per cent of 
which is run through the dry kiln and planing mill. 
The plant is equipped with electric lights throughout 
and is run twenty-two hours per day. 

The officers of the Kingston Lumber Company are : 
Francis Lampe, president, Laurel, Miss.; Edmund K. 
Stallo, vice-president. New York City ; Andrew Flana- 
gan, secretary. Laurel, Miss.; F. W. Pettibone, treas- 
urer and general manager. Laurel, Miss. 

The Kingston & Central Mississippi Railway line 
runs through the timbered land of this company, and 
they operate their log trains over that road under con- 
tract. They also build their own spur lines for logging 
purposes. They man- 



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ufacture long leaf 
yellow pine lumber of 
the very best grade, 
rough or dressed, and 
are located contiguous 
to as fine a belt of yel- 
low pine as there is in 
the south. Besides 
the advantage they 
enjoy in the matter of 
timber, their mill is 
equipped with the lat- 
est and highest grade 
of sawmill machinery 
on the market, thus 
placing them in the 
lumber market on an 
equal with any lum- 
ber company extant. 
The Kingston Lum- 
ber Company's pro- 
duct has already taken 
its place in the lum- 
ber marts of the 
world, and the high 
grade of its output is 
a guarantee that it 

will never suffer displacement. Manned by thorough 
lumbermen, its destiny cannot be otherwise than one of 
success and financial prosperity. 




VIEW IN EASTMAN, GAKDINER & CO. S LOGGING CAMP. 



THE DANTZLER COMPANY. 

One of the largest plants of its kind in the south is 
operated by L. N. Dantzler Lumber Company of Moss 
Point — at the junction of the Pascagoula and Dog rivers. 
The mills belonging to this company have a total ca- 
pacity of 150,000 feet a day, or 35,000,000 feet annually, 
the larger portion of which is exported to all parts of 
the world. Although there are several large saw mills 
at Moss Point, all of which are well located on the 
winding stream that makes this an ideal spot for the 
manufacturing of lumber, the Dantzlers oioupy what 



was the original town site, where, before the war, a 
mill was in operation. This particular spot seems to 
have been designed by nature for saw mills, as it is not 
only at the junction of two rivers, on which an unlimited 
supply of the raw material may be floated to the plant 
from the inland river counties, but there are also several 
good-sized, land-locked lakes capable of holding mil- 
lions of feet of logs at a time. This was no doubt the 
reason that many years ago the big lumber firm of W. 
Griffin & Co., selected this site for their plant, which 
for a considerable time was one of the largest exporting 
plants for long-leaf yellow pine lumber on the Gulf 
Coast. It was in this old lumber company that L. N. 
Dantzler, Sr., now the president of the L. N. Dantzler 
Lumber Company started in business. He remained 

with them until 1875, 
then started his own 
plant, which has 
grown in time to its 
present large dimen- 
sions and includes two 
mills, the larger capa- 
ble of turning out 
125,000, the smaller 
25,000 feet daily, and 
a planing mill which 
produces 40,000 feet 
of the finished pro- 
duct. In 1888 L. N. 
Dantzler incorporated 
a compan3', including 
himself and sons, J. 
L. and L. N. Dantz- 
ler, Jr., and capital- 
ized it at S200, 000, and 
now, in his advancing 
years, he is freed from 
the responsibility of 
operating this large 
plant alone. The 
company is splendidly 
equipped for conduct- 
ing a lumber business. 
They own personally one hundred and fifteen thousand 
acres of long-leaf yellow pine, all located on the streams 
tributary to Moss Point and reached by a logging rail- 
road ten miles long. At the rear of each of the mills is 
one of the little land-locked lakes or ponds, where a 
boom of something like 50,000 logs or 15,000,000 feet of 
logs may be kept readj^ for the mill. On either side of 
the river where this company is located are wharve.s, at 
which all vessels drawing under eleven feet of water 
can land, while many of the larger ships, of commerce 
line up to the docks and after loading partially drop 
down the river and lay off Ship or Horn Islands, where 
the loading is completed from barges. A fleet of seven 
barges, three tug boats and a number of three-masted 
schooaers are employed in the business, the latter ves- 
sels carrying all the exportations to Cuba and Mexico. 
The largest tugboat on the coast was recently launched 



l.oi' 



100 



THK BILOXI DAILY HERALD. 



by this companj" — the Bessie H. Dantzler — an up-to-date 
tug: in ever_v particular, equipped with search lights, 
steam windlasses and fire pumps. The tugs are used to 
tow the barges of lumber to Ship Island, the point of 
export for all foreign countries. 

At the Moss Point mills the Dantzler Lumber Com- 
pany give steady employment at remunerative wages 
to more than 300 men. A large number are also em- 



ploj'ed on the company's steam vessels and barges 
gaged in lightering lumber to Horn and Ship islands 
Another large mill, with a daily capacity of 75, C 
is owned and operated by the Dantzlers on the Gulf ; 
Ship Island Railroad, at Howison, Miss., under 
name of the Native Lumber Company. This is on< 
the largest on that mill-dotted line, which traverses 
richest timber belt of the south. 




'^^SM^d^ 



the composition, press work and binding 

on this edition is from 

The Biloxi Daily Herai.d Printerv. 



THE 

PRINCIPAL 
SOUTHERN 
CITIES 



GULF and ^WWlMlsslssippi 

ISLAND RAILW'Y Pme Ls»nds 

Double Daily Mail and 
Express Trains 

"'^-— '. Gnlfport to J 



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road, 

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bile, Pens 

and MissisM; 

points, witli 
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E. S. BURRIL, 

HEAL ESTATE DEALER, 

GulfpoH, • Miss. 



is served betng o 

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biioxi Keai csiaie the standard 
;; and Loan Agency LAND COMPANY. 



GULPPORT. MISS. 



irious points on tlie 



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tiloxi Artesian *^ 

Bottling Works Southern JJobacco Co., 



, BARQ, Agent. 

MINERAI. WATERS 

A N II 

vSODA POP. 

\U- 111DRATT) PRINTERS 



CHOICE REAI. ESTATE 
FOR SAI,E 








H. M. FOtKBS, M. D., I,. I,OFEZ, Sr., W. K. M. DDKATB, M. I,. TAI,BOT, M. D., 

President and Oen'l M'gr'r. Vice-President. Secretary-Treasiiier. Superiuteudent 




BILO 



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SANATOt UM 



mOORPORMTtO. 



Spacious Grounds Directly Upon the Gulf of Mexico. 



Being in the Famous Ozone Belt, it is an ideal place for Neurasthenia^ 
Insot&nia, ;;Dyspepsia, Heart and Kidney Troubles. Rapid and remarkable 
improvement in those who have had protracted illnesses, and patients who 
suffer from insomnia. i Tubercular Patients not taken. ) 



Electricity and Massage Treatment. 
Turkish, [Russian, Salt Water, Mineral and other Baths. 

Complete X-Ray Laboratory. 



I.ARGE ANfD COMFORT ABI^B ROOMS. 
UNSURPASSED SOUTHERN COOKING. 



For. terms and information, address either the 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



014 541 995 5 



